Author 



^t^o^ 



o 
2: 






K.ZS... 

jr....... 

3'iM. 



Title 



Imprint 



10 — I7SIT3-9 aro 



SV Vy >OJ "SV" 



" •T^Cr'" '-V — '^ — "W — 'a'' "^5" — H^r 



HISTORY 



OF THE 



TH REGIMENT 

O. V. V. I., 

FURNISHED BY COMRADES AT THE 




NINTH REUNION 



HELD AT 



ST, MARYS, OHIO, 

TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, 

SEPTEMBER iO AND 11 
1889. 



A fti ,-ig>- f^i^rtbi„tga— cSh- rtV-jfo-jto .^f<>> tgi. 



-t-A /^ fh _£Ci_rfbL. - 



MONTGOMERY & VROOMAN, PRINTERS, TOJ^EpO, O. 



^jmMO^..-^: 




:LTixr«a?3i 



REUNION 



l/' 



\v^"i \jr A^^^^oo^iAy^ 



OF^ THE 



TH 



H 



H 



\ 



O. V. V. I. 




ST. MARYS, OHIO. 



Tuesday and Wednesday 



SEPTEMBER 10 AND W 1889. 



TOLEDO, OHIO : 

MONTrTOMERY Jt VROOMAN, PRINTERS, 
189(1. 



9956 




The folloxving Circular was sent to 7uembers of the Regiment. 
Ninth Rkunion 

37th regiment. 



HE resident members of the Regiment will spare 
no efforts to entertain their visiting Comrades 
and make this Reunion as interesting and successful 
as any previously held. 

Our members are steadily decreasing. We can- 
not expect to meet many more years. Every Com- 
rade should make a special effort to attend and re- 
port promptly. 

" Our Old Flags will be Here.'' 
" Rally Once Again.'' 

It will also interest many Comrades to visit the 
gas and oil wells around St. Marys, which are not ex- 
celled anywhere. 

The reservoir is the largest artificial body of 
water in the world. 

Our hotels are now ample to entertain all, and 
furnish excellent accommodations at reasonable rates. 



PROGRAM. 

Ttiesday Evening, September loth, i88g. 
Reception in Town Hall, addresses by Comrades 



•■ Kommers." ^ ''""' ^"'^ concluding with 

and pt-Te"" '^ '"^ '° "^^ ^t. Ma.ys Reservoir 
Committee of Arrangements. 

iJOiis Jl. Lamdert, Secret,,!-!/ 
ORDER OF EXERCISES 

AT 
REUNION OF 37TII REGIMENT, o. V v I 
«T. MARV8, OHIO 
SEPTEMBER Jo AND U, 1889. 

HaJl^ril r^"''7 ^'•-^^shed at the G A R 
"all , a]J Comrades are reaue^t^H . ,' ' 

arrival, to rep-ister r. ^"\'^^,^ ^^ ^^^PO'-t there on 
Banquet. ^ ' '''"''" ^^^^^^ ^"d tickets to 

Tuesday, September loth 

p. n^ ':.uel° n^el^^atT" "1^ ^^^^ "''^^'^ - ^ 
wi" be Cosed, ^B™ I ^ ^-^^f ' ""- *e doors 

Wednesday, September mh 

'-o^^■::•?;rvl'''^™'^'^-"Ha,,. 

3:00 p. M. Inspection of Gas Wells 

5:00 p. M. Return to Town. 

7-30 P. M. Kommers in Town Hall. 



THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I, 



Reception to 37th Regiment, O. V. V. I., at 
Town Hall, St. Marys, Sept. 10, 1889, at 8 P. M.: 



PROGRAM. 



Overture— -'Golden Hours." 
Address of Welcome 



. . Little Six Band 
E. F. Gross, Mayor 
. Major Chas. Hipp 



Response • • • j ^i, 

Soug-'-Tenting on the Old Camp Ground."- Quartette and Grand Chorus . . 
Misses Abbie Smith. Ella and May Manor; Messrs. Elza and Jas. Hmith. 

Music-In Memoriam-Ziiher Solo Albert Herzing 

Soug-"The Old Canteen"-Baritone Solo and Chorus . . . Lieut. Fred Krumm 

Address— "From Camp Brown to Mission Ridge." 

Comrade John S. Kountz, Past Commander-in-Chief, G. A. R. 

Recitation ^^^- Elizabeth Mansfield Irving 

Song-Duett, Soprano and Baritone Miss Nellie and Lieut. Krumm 

Address— "From Mission Ridge to LarkinsvlUe, Ala." 

Comrade Wm. Scbulenberg. 

Song— "The Vacant Chair"- Quartette and (irand Chorus • • • 

Music-Overture-"Buckeye State" Little Six Band 

Song-" Just Before the Battle"-Soprano Solo and Quartette Chorus 

Miss Ella Manor. 

Address-"Atlanta Campaign." Comrade John H. Puck 

Song-"Marchlng Through Georgia. "-Quartette and Grand Chorus 

Address-"From Atlanta to the Sea;" "Through the Carolinas to Washington 
and Home." . . . Captain Louis E. Lambert. 

Song-"Tramp, Tramp, Tramp."— Soprano Solo and Grand Chorus 

Miss Abbie Smith. 

,, ,,„„ Little Six Band 

Musio— Medley 

BANQUET. 



Members of the 37th Regiment began to come 
in September 9th, and by the evening of September 
loth, a Hvely and goodly number of them, many with 
their wives, assembled at the Town Hall of St. 
Marys, which was beautifully decorated with bunting, 
flags and flowers. The old soldiers and their fami- 
lies occupied the front seats, while the rest of the hall^ 
was filled with ladies and gentlemen from St. Marys 
and surrounding towns. All seats had been reserved 
for soldiers and ladies, and standing room was all 
taken up. 

At 8 p. m. promptly the meeting was called to 
order by the President, Major Charles Hipp, and 
opened with the overture. "Golden Hours," by the 
Little Six Band, of New Bremen. The President 



6 THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

then introduced Hon. E. F. Gross, Mayor of St. 
Marys, who made the following address : 

Mr. President, Members of the 37th, and Ladies and Gen- 
tlemen : — 

The warlike and warring times in which your regiment 
was formed have passed away, your army corps has dissolved, 
your brigade has disbanded, and your regiment long since has 
surrendered to family and home, the soldier boys that war and 
duty called away. 

There are, gentlemen, the ties of good-fellowship which 
now unite and bind you together — good-fellowship which grew 
up under sacrifices each of you bravely made ; under dangers 
by you all together, fearlessly and heroically met, and in the 
discharge by each of you of patriotic duty. To promote that 
good-fellowship, to keep glowing in all your breasts that af- 
fectionate regard in which you justly hold each other, and in 
pursuance of your custom, you have met this evening. In 
obedience to the wish of the people of this village, as well as 
in obedience to my own impulse, as Mayor of the Village of 
St, Marys, and as an individual, I accejDt it as a duty and 
cherish it as a privilege, to bid you welcome. 

This is a proud day for St. Marys — proud because your 
committee has thus for a second time chosen this village for 
the place of your reunion ; proud that among your members 
so many of her sons have been enrolled. 

I trust, gentlemen, that it is pardonable, because I know 
It to be a fact, that the people of this village and county have 
ever regarded your regiment with a peculiar interest. In war 
times after every battle in which you were engaged, the ques- 
tion we at home asked each other was, " How fared it with the 
37th ?" But, gentlemen, had we then seen that tattered banner, 
then gallantly borne aloft and fearlessly followed — had we 
seen it in the thickest of the fray, its sacred folds pierced and 
its trusty staff splintered by ^reason's bullets ; had we seen it 
rising and falling on the waves of battle, but ever pointing on- 



THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. Y. Y. I. 



ward to victory— we could have been no more certain than we 
were that wherever it was, the 37th always did its duty. 

Gentlemen, we are proud of your regiment's record, we 
are grateful to you for the preference shown our village, and 
we bid you a cordial welcome. 

Response by the President, Major Chas. Hipp: 
Comrades and Friends: — 

When, 24 years ago, we scattered from the tented field 
for home and fireside, when the martial bonds that held us for 
four long years were sundered, we carried with us that glorious 
feeling of Comradeshij), cemented by common dangers and suf- 
ferings, and to-day we meet, once again, to live over the days 
when confidently we touched elbows toward the center, where 
these old fiags then proudly waved. 

None but family ties can surpass the cords of Comrade- 
ship ; based on patriotism, tried by fire, proven true as steel, 
they hold us captive by the silken chords of devotion, respect 
and honor. 

Strike from your lives the four years of 61-65, how 
dreary and common -place appear the others, before and after 
those stormy times, when it was your good fortune to live and 
turn a'spoke in the wheel of history; you can proudly claim 
a share in shaping destiny, in crushing national crimes, in es- 
tablishing national unity, in breaking the fetters of suffering 
millions. 

"Words are tame in expressing the joy we feel in meet- 
ing and grasping the hands of trusted comrades of many a 
camp, march and battle. We are now, once more, in camp. 

Sound the reveille. 

REVEILLE 

Song — "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground." 

Q,u;irtctte with Piano Afoompaniment. 

Misses Abbie Smith, Ella and May Manor, 
Messrs. Elza and Jas. Smith. 



THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. Y. I. 

TENTING ON THE OLD CAMP GROUND. 

We're tenting to-night on the old camp-ground, 

Give us a song to cheer 
Our weary hearts, a song of home 

And the friends we love so dear. 

Chorus — Many are the hearts that are weary to-night 
Wishing for the war to cease ; 
Many are the hearts -looking for the right 
To see the dawn of peace ; 
. I Tenting to-night, tenting to-night, I . 
* I Tenting on the old camp ground. I 

We've been tenting to-night on the old camp-ground. 

Thinking of the days gone by ; 
Of the loved ones at home that gives us the hand, 
And the tear that said : good-bye. 
Chokus — Many are the hearts, etc. 

We are tired of war on the old camp- ground ; 

Many are dead and gone. 
Of the brave and the true, who've left their homes ; 
Others have been wounded l">ng 
Chokus — Many are the hearts, etc. 

We've been fighting to-day on the old camp-ground ; 

Many are lying near. 
Some are dead and some are dying, 

Many are in tears ! 

Chorus — Many are the hearts that are weary to-night, 
Wishing for the war to cease 
Many are the hearts looking for the right, 
To see the dawn of peace ; 
. I Dying to-night, dying to-night I . 
I Dying on the old camp-ground. I 

(additional verse.) 

Since twenty-four years have passed away, 
And truest peace has come ; 
Remember to-night the dear ones gone, 
Who're sleeping in the grave's dark home. 

Chokus — Many are the hearts full of sorrow to-night. 

Thinking of the war's dark days ; 
Mourning o'er the brave dying for the right, 

Who won Columbia's praise. 
Who'er sleeping to-night, sleeping to-night. 

Sleeping on their last camp-ground, 
They're sleeping to-night, sleeping to-night. 

They're sleeping in their last camp-ground. 



THIETY SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 



This popular old army song was beautifully ren- 
dered and enthusiastically received. 

Music — In Memoriam — "Nearer My God to Thee." 

Zither Solo. 

Albert Herzino, 

Song — " The Same Canteen." 

Baritone Solo and Chorus. 

Lieut. Fred. Krumm. 

WE'VE DRUNK FROM THE SAME CANTEEN. 

There are bonds of all sorts in this world of ours 

Fetters of friendship and ties of flowers. 
And true lover's knots I wean, — 

The boy, and the girl are bound by a kiss, 
But there's neveir a bond old friend, like this, 

We have drunk from the same canteen. 

Chorus — The same canteen, my soldier friend. 
The same canteen, 
There's never a bond, old friend like this. 
We have drunk from the same canteen. 

The same canteen, my soldier friend, 

The same canteen, 
There's never a bond, old friend, like this, 

We have drunk from the same canteen. 

It was some times water, and some times milk, 

Sometimes apple jack fine as silk. 
But whatever the tipple has been, — 

We shar'd it together, in bane — or bliss. 
And I warn to you friend, when I think of this, 

We have drunk from the same canteen. 

Chorus — The same canteen, etc. 

The rich and the great sit down to dine, 

And quafT to each other in sparkling wine, 
From glasses of crystal, and green, — 

But I guess in their golden potations they miss 
The warmth of regard, to be found in this, 

We have drunk from the same canteen. 

Chorus — The same canteen, etc. 

We've shared our blankets, and tent together, 
And marched, and fought, in all kinds of weather. 



10 THIHTY-SBVBNTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

And hungry, and full, we've been, — 

Had days of battle, and days of rest, 
But this mem'ry I cling to, and love the best, 

We have drunk from the same canteen. 

Chorus — The same canteen, etc. 

For when wounded I lay on the outer slope. 

With my blood flowing fast, and but little hope. 
On which my faint spirit might lean, — 

! then I remember, you crawl'd to my side. 
And bleeding so fast, it seem'd both must have died 
, We drunk from the same canteen. 

Chorus — The same canteen, etc. 

Address — "From Camp Brown to Mission Ridge." 
Comrade John S. Kountz, 

Past Commander-in-Chief, G. A. R. 

Dear Comrades: — 

I WISH I could tell you how my heart rejoices, as once more 

I look into your faces, and the pleasure I feel in greeting 
the remnant of our dear old regiment. 

When Major Hipp, whom we all love, wrote me that I was 
on the list for an address, I concluded I could do nothing better 
than give some of my personal observations and experiences 
from home to Mission Ridge — an undertaking by no means 
easy, as I kept no record during my service. In going back 
through the scenes in which we were participants — the camp, 
the march, the bivouac and the battle — neither time nor occa- 
sion will permit me more than a brief outline. 

At the breaking of the rebellion 1 had just passed my fif- 
teenth birthday. In our town (Maumee, Ohio,) many of the 
young men promptly responded to the first call for volunteers- 
How I envied those whose age made them eligible. Those 
who first went from Maumee enlisted in the Fourteenth and 
Twenty -first regiments. I watched with much interest the 
service of those commands in West Virginia; was present in 
Toledo when the Fourteenth returned, and regarded every 
man as indeed "a hero." 

In August 1861, the Thirty-seventh regiment, under the 



THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, 0. V. V. I. ll 

call for 300,000 men, was organized at Cleveland, being re- 
cruited among the Germans of Cleveland, Toledo, St. Marys, 
Youngstown, Columbus and Chillicothe. A goodly number of 
Company G were from Maumee. Toward the end of Sep- 
tember several boys returned for a brief time, previous to the 
departure of the the regiment for the field. On the last Satur- 
day in September I met a number who had "donned the blue," 
among them being Lieutenant Hamm, who said to me, "We 
will take you with us as a drummer." I was delighted, and 
going home I asked my father's permission. At first he hesi- 
tated, but finally gave his consent. On Monday morning I bid 
adieu to home — to my father and sister it was the last good- 
bye, both dying while I was in the army; and taking the train 
for Toledo, where we changed cars for Cleveland, arriving at 
Camp Brown the same evening (September 30, 1861), I was 
pretty tired from the day's experience. A short time after our 
arrival in the camp the bugle signal notified the men that supper 
was ready, and we formed in single file, marching to the kitchen, 
where I was given a large tin cup and a tablespoon. The cook 
with a long-handled dipper filled my cup with coffee, and I 
was given a slice of bread and a piece of baked salt pork, 
which constituted my first army meal. 

The second day after my arrival we broke camp and took 
the train for Camp Dennison, were we remained about ten 
days, were mustered into the service and the regiment (Col. 
Edward Siber commanding) armed and equipped. The drums 
not having been received, I was given a musket 
and did guard duty for one night. A mere boy, I must have 
been an interesting figure, marching up and down in front of 
the commissary department, with a heavy Springfield musket 
upon my shoulder. At first, I felt very proud of my position, 
but the novelty soon wore ofi", and I was glad when relieved. 

From Camp Dennison we moved to Cincinnati, where we 
took steamers for Camp Piatt, on the Kanawha river, arriving 
there and reporting to Gen. Rosecrans a few days later. This 
camp was located about twelve miles above Charleston, West 



12 THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V, V. I. 

Virginia, and had been occupied by the Thirty-fourth Ohio, for 
whose colonel the camp was named. A day or two after our ar- 
rival the drums came, when the drum corps was obliged to put 
in four hours a day of practice. It was in this camp that I first 
saw the "Johnnies" — a couple of captured "bushwhackers." 
They where dressed in homespun "butternut," and to us a 
great curiosity. 

At this time the country south of the Kanawha was over- 
run with squads of rebel cavelry of Jenkins' command, who oc- 
casionally fired upon passing steamers and then took to the 
mountains. Col. Siber, determining, if possible, to break up these 
raids, crossing the river with part of the regiment and occupied 
Brownstown, from which place scouting parties where sent into 
the surrounding country. One had started out under Capt. 
Hipp, with three days' rations, but was recalled by Gen Rose- 
crans, who considered the expidition too hazardous. About this 
time there was a report that Capt Hipp's command had been 
defeated, and Col. Siber reported to Gen. Roscrans that he was 
going to the rescue of his scouting party, which, a day or two 
later, returned to camp. 

Recrossing the river, the regiment proceeded to Cannelton 
where the forces where organizing for driving the rebel Gen, 
Floyd out of the valley. This was my first march, and as I 
carried knapsack, haversack and drum, it was very tiresome 
although the distance was but about eighteen miles. The col- 
onel subsequently permitted the drummers to put their knap, 
sacks on the regimental wagons. We remained in the camp for 
a few days, then crossing the river, went into camp on the Mont- 
gomery farm, opposite the oil works at Cannelton. Consider- 
able excitement was soon occasioned in camp by the report that 
a member of company C had been shot by a bushwhacker, but 
when comrade Kopfwas brought into camp, it was learned that 
he had accidentally shot himself 

From Camp Montgomery the regiment moved up the val- 
ley to Loup creek, against the rebel forces under Floyd, and 
succeeded in foi'cing them to evacuate Cotton Hill. The per- 



THIETY SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I, 13 

suit of Floyd was continued several miles beyond Fayettville, 
notwithstanding heavy rains, which made the expedition one 
of great hardship. The streams where high, the men often be- 
ing compelled to wade deep water; and as it was impossible to 
get wagons through the mud, troops were without rations for 
several days. The comrades of the thirty-seventh who parti- 
cipated in the pursuit of Floyd will never forget the hardships 
and privations which attended that short campaign. Soon after 
the return from the expedition, we went into winter quarters at 
Clifton, where drill, discipline, guard duty and occasional scout- 
ing occupied the time. 

In January, 1862, a portion of the regiment went on an ex- 
pedition to Logan C. H., east of Guyandotte river, where, after 
hard marching and brisk skirmishing, with rebel cavalry, the 
place was captured and the war material found was destroyed. 
This was accomplished with the loss of Capt. H. Goeku and 
Corporal Behm killed. When on the Guyandotte river our 
men were occasionally fired at from the opposite side, when 
Corporal Maulen, of Company B, discovering a small boat, 
swam the river, (the water being at freezing point,) and brought 
back the canoe. Several of the Thirty-seventh crossed over in 
this boat and cleared the woods of bushwhackers. On reaching 
Logan C. H. the town was found deserted, except a few drunken 
women, one of whom was the wife of one Hatfield whose sons have 
recently gained notoriety for lawlessness in that region. The 
eneri^etic measures of Col. Siber resulted in the suppression of 
these bands, and many of those who had been engaged iu bush- 
whacking came into Charleston and took the oath of allegiance 

Clifton was a delightful place, and as the duties of the men 
were not arduous our boys were quite content to remain there 
during the winter. Our Sutler, Mr. Carl Lenk, one of the 
best in the army, was an excellent provider. 1 am sure no sut- 
ler could have been held in higher esteem then was he. His 
assistent, Christ Nopper, was also very popular. My company 
for a time was quartered in an old frame store on the Hansford 



14 l?HlETY SEVJSNTtt EEGIMENT, 0. V. t. t. 

place, not tar from a stable in which were kept several cows whose 
milk, through early rising, I was enabled to supply for 
breakfast coffee. 

When news of the fall of Donelson was received, many of us 
felt that the war was about over, and we were not to have an op- 
portunity for a battle; but our ambition in that regard was fully 
satisfied as shown by subsequent record. During April my 
company performed guard duty at Loup creek returning to 
Clitton toward the end of the month. About this time the Thir- 
ty-seventh was assigned to the third provisional brigade of 
the Kanawaha division (Gen. J. D, Cox), and ordered to accom- 
pany the same on a raid to southwest Virginia, with a view of 
destroying the Virginia & East Tennessee railroad. 

Early in May, 1862, we bade adieu to our pleasant quarters 
at Clifton, and again resumed active campaigning. After the 
first day's march we went into camp near Louj) creek. The 
next morning we continued our tramp over Cotton mountain 
and on to Payetteville where we bivouaced for the night. 
The following day we made a long and tiresome march to 
Kaleigh C. H., resuming our march the next day over Flat 
Top mountain to Princeton, and on to French Mills, the regi- 
ment arriving there May 14, 1862. Meantime the day before we 
reached,Princeton, it rained very hard, and being obliged to wade 
through streams of water, I beg ame quite sick, and was placed 
in an ambulance. That night we halted on Blue Stone river, 
about fifteen miles north of Princeton. Not having proper cov- 
ering, Lieut. Hamm gave me his double blankets. These I re- 
tained when left at the hospital in Pi-inceton, and a day or two 
later they came into possession of the "Johnnies." Our hosi3i_ 
tal was a large frame building on the main road, a short distance 
from the ruins of the court house. Gen. Cox established his 
headquarters here, and the few soldiers left behind were placed 
under command of Maj. Ankele, of the Thirty -seventh. On 
the afternoon of the 15th the rebels, under Humphrey Mar- 
shall, advanced on Princeton and attacked our small forces 
which had taken a position behind the walls of the burnt court- 



THIETY-SBVENTH KEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 15 



house. ■ Our men held the rebels at bay until after dark, 
when they were driven from their position, some being made 
prisoners and others scattering to the woods. During 
this little fight Maj. Ankele was seriously wounded. Well do I 
remember the men bringing him in and the peculiar sensation 
I felt at the first sight of a bleeding soldier. About this time 
Gen. Cox and staff hastened to join his command at French 
Mill. When the report reached us that our men were driven 
back, I left the hospital, and with other inmates ran to the 
woods, a short distance from the town, where we remained un- 
til morning. It was one of the most unsatisfactory nights I 
experinced during my entire service. But for the kindness ot 
a comrade of the Thirty-fourth Ohio, whom I met in the wood, 
and who permitted me to share his blanket, I would have suf- 
fered still more. Most of the sick were made prisoners, includ- 
ing the comrade last referred to. 

Gen. Cox who had left Princeton the evening before, reached 
French Mill about 9 o'clock p. ra., and the troops were ordered 
back to Princeton, where, much fatigued, they arrived early in 
the morning. The rebels had destroyed our stores and retired 
about an hour before the arrival of Gen. Cox's command. The 
previous day, four companies of the Thirty-seventh, five of 
the Tv/enty-eigth and two of the Thirty -fourth, under command 
of Lieut, Col. VonBlessingh, were sent up the East Eiver and 
Wytheville road, to ascertain the rebel force at Eocky Gap, to 
return the following day. but on learning that the enemy had 
attacked and driven our forces from Princeton, Col. VonBless- 
ingh was notified by courier to march direct to Princeton. 
About 10 a. m. on the 16th, his command came upon the rebels 
under Gen. Marshall, and after severe fighting, in which the 
four companies of our regiment lost one officer and 13 men kill- 
ed, two officers and 46 men wounded, and 14 missing, our forces 
were compelled to retreat. We heard the heavy musketry fir- 
ing, and the troops were eager, but were not allowed to go to Von 
Blessingh's assistance. At 3 o'clock the next morning the di- 
vision commenced the retrograde movement, and reached Flat 



16 THIRTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I- 

Top mountain the 19th. What was left of VonBlessingh'e 
command joined us at Blue Stone river, to our great delight. 

We remained in camp on Flat Top until August, having 
built comfortable quarters from the bark of the large chestnut 
trees on the mountain. The camp was cool, and the water was 
excellent. 

August 1st the regiment was again on the move, and after 
a day's march reached Kaleigh C. H., remaining there 
about three weeks and scouting the surrounding countr}'- 
During the stay at Ealeigh a number of our men made an ex- 
pedition to Wyoming C. H. where a detachment of the regi- 
ment fell into ambuscade and was surrounded, but cut its way 
out, with loss of two killed and seven captured. The last 
of August the regiment removed to Fayetteville, where in con- 
junction with the Thirty-fourth Ohio, it garrisoned that impor- 
tant outpost. On September 10 it was reported that the ene- 
my was moving on Fayetteville. Col. Siber, in command of the 
union troops, ordered two companies of our regiment out on the 
Princeton road, but the men soon encountered the rebels in 
heavy force, and were obliged to fall back. At noon Col. Siber's 
entire command (six companies of the Thirty-fourth and the 
Thirty-seventh Ohio) were engaged with the confederates, led 
by Gen. Loring. The fight lasted until dark, but as most of 
our regiment occupied the breastworks, which had been con- 
structed the previous year, our casualties were light. During 
this engagement the drummers carried water to the men from 
a well on the Fayetteville road, an exceedingly hazardous em- 
ployment, as we were obliged to pass an open space exposed to 
the enemy's fire. The Thirty-fourth on our right fought gal- 
lantly in an open field, and charged the rebels several times, 
sustaining heavy loss, one-halfof the officers and fully one-third 
of the men engaged being either killed or wounded. During 
the night Col. Siber, learning that the enemy was threatening 
our rear, ordered the buring of government stores, and at 2 
o'clock a. m. we moved back on the Gauley road. Gen. Lor- 
ing's command, consisting of Williams', Heath's and Echols 



THIETY-SBVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. i. 17 

brigades, was reported 10,000 strong. How gallantly the Thirty- 
fourth and Thirty-seventh, numbering less than one thousand, 
defended themselves against such overwhelming numbers and 
escaped capture, is matter of history. At daybreak on the 11th 
we reached Cotton Hill, where a short stand was made and 
some shot thrown into the ranks of the enemy, who, in solid 
column, were marching in the valley below. When our guns 
commenced firing, they sought cover. Our forces continued 
down the Kanawha, with the enemy close upon us. On the 
evening of the 12th we reached Brownstown and crossed the 
river during the night in a heavy rain. The next morning we 
continued the retreat, with the confederates a short distance 
behind on both sides of the river, reaching Charleston during 
the afternoQn of the 13th. Loring's men appeared on the oppo- 
site side of the Kanawha about the same time, and commenced 
sending shot into Charleston, frightening its citizens, who where 
running in all directions for safety. We crossed Elk river and 
destroyed the new suspension bridge by cutting the cable*. 
The enemy was kept at bay till dark, to enable our large train 
of 700 wagons, filled with supplies, to get well under way, 
when we resumed march, which continued during the night 
and until we reached Ravenwood. 

Crossing the Ohio, we marched to Racine, and at Pomeroy 
were royally treated by the citizens. Leaving Pomeroy we 
proceeded to a point on the Ohio about four miles above Galli- 
polis, where we remained a few days and recrossed the river, 
going into camp at Point Pleasant. The losses of the Thirty- 
seventh at Fayetteville and on the retreat in killed, wounded 
and missing, was 67, many of the missing being teamsters and 
train guards. At Point Pleasant we received between sixty and 
seventy valuable recruits, mostly young men. Among those 
assigned to my tent were John H. Puck and Ernst Torgler, with 
whom I soon formed an endearing friendship. 

The middle of October found us again advancing up the 
Kanawha, under command of Lieut. Col. VonBlessingh. The 
second or third day out we met the Thirty-fourth Ohio, for 

[31 



18 THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O, V. Y. I. 

the first time after they were assigned to another brigade, and 
they greeted us with cheers as we passed, a greeting which was 
heartily returned by our men, who remembered the gallant 
conduct of the Thirty-fourth at Fayetteville. Our march was 
continued to Charleston, where we remained a tew days and then 
proceeded up the river, passing familiar camps and arriving 
at Gauly about the 20th of November, where we expected to re- 
main for the winter. We built stockades upon which to place 
the tents, and all sorts of heating apparatus were pi'ovided. 

In December, 1862, the weather was very cold for two or 
three days, freezing over the Kanawha, and one morning a 
comrade of Simmons' battery ventured too far out on the ice, 
broke through, when, seeing him in the water, I went to his 
assistance. Lying down on the ice and reaching him my hand 
he proved too heavy for me, and I was drawn into the river. For- 
tunately a piece of rope was found by comrades and thrown to 
rne, which 1 caught and both were i^escued. While at Gauly, 
Col. Siber was presented witli a beautiful sword and belt by 
the Thirty-seventh, in recognition of soldierly qualities dis- 
played bj^ him at Fayetteville, and as a token o! the'high regard of 
the regiment. 

December 30, 1862, we were ordered to Charleston, where 
we embarked by steamers for Louisville, Ky., bidding adieu to 
the Kanawha valley and the picturesque region of West Yiginia, 
where we saw very severe as well as pleasant service. On 
reaching Cincinnati, Col. Siber, who had for two or three 
months commanded a brigade, again assumed command. 
New Enfield rifles were furnished at Cincinnati in exchange 
for the old Springfield muskets. Arriving at Louisville, we 
disembarked and marched through the principal streets, the 
Thirty-seventh presenting a fine apporance and eliciting favor- 
able comment from citizens. We pitched tents upon a vacant 
plat and remained about a week, when we again embarked by 
steamers and proceeded down the Ohio and Mississippi, reach- 
ing Napoleon, Arkansas, the middle of January, were, with the 
Thirtieth and Forty-seventh Ohio and Fourth Yirginia, we for- 



THIRTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, 0. T. V. I. 19 



med the Second brigade, Second divison, Fifteenth army- 
corps. 

On the 2l8t we moved down the river to Young's point, op- 
posite Vicksburg, where the regiment put in some time in dig- 
ging canal. Early on February 2d we were surprised to seethe 
ram Queen of the West steaming down the Mississippi, 
passing the confederate batteries, and although under fire 
nearly an hour, having one gun dismounted and her 
cabin knocked to pieces, the Queen, colors flying triumphantly, 
made the passage. During our stay in this swampy camp our 
colonel gave careful attention to our sanitary condition. He 
would not permit the men to draw flour until ovens were pro- 
vided, preferring hard tack. No doubt his wise precaution 
saved the lives of many men. Hard-tack and beef soup consti- 
tuted healthful diet, as results in this case proved. While in 
this camp the regiment lost but two men, while the dead march 
was heard daily in the regiments around us, and thousands of 
the army of the Tennessee found their last resting place in the 
narrow levee of the Mississippi. 

About the 20th of March our division was ordered to 
Gwinn's Plantation, to take part in an expeuition in connection 
with Commodore Porter up Steel's bayou and through Black Bay- 
on to Deer creek and Sunflower river, for the purpose of getting in 
to the Yazoo, above Haine's bluff, and secure advantageous posi- 
tion for operation against Vicksburg. Embarking on boats, we 
proceeded up Steel's bayou some distance, then turned into 
Black bayou, a narrow stream greatly obstructed by the limbs 
of oak and cottonwood trees. After a few miles of progress 
through these obstructions, we reached Deer creek and then 
disembarked, marching thence to Hill's cotton plantation. 

On the evening of the 18th Com. Porter, with ironclads^ 
mortarboats, and tugs, was within a few miles of EoUing Fork. 
The next morning rebel sharpshooters had so swarmed the 
woods that Porter's situation became critical, while the enemy 
had erected a battery at the junction of the Sunflower and Rol- 
ling Fork, and had ordered some infantary and artillery from 



20 THIRTY-SEVENTH JREGIMENT, O. V. V. 1. 

Haines' bluff up the Sunflower. Gen. Sherman having been 
advised of the condition, hurried forward the Thirty- seventh 
and other troops, who arrived just in time to rescue the fleet, 
which Porter had made up his mind to destroy, to prevent its 
falling into the hands of the enemy. 

Further effort in this direction being useless, we embarked 
on the gunboats and reached our camp at Young's point on 
the 27th. The failure of this expedition was a great dissa- 
pointment, as its success would have been of great importance 
to Gen. Grant in his movement. 

After our return to Young's point. Gen. Frank P. Blair 
assumed command of our division. On the night of April 16th 
the transports and barges in tow ran the batteries at Vicks- 
burgh, led by Commodore Porter with the Benton. The rebel 
gunners poured hot shot and shell into the Benton, houses in 
Vicksburg being set on fire, lighting up the river so the boats 
could be plainly seen. It was a grand sight, and the burning of 
the Henry Clay about this time added to the picture that will 
never be effaced from the memories of those who 8%w it. The 
boats were under fire for two hours, being hit many times, yet no 
one was killed and but few wounded- We witnessed this 
magnificent scone from the levee opposite Vicksburg. 

On the night of April 22d more steamers, loaded with sup- 
plies, and, protected as before, passed the batteries, one of the 
boats (the Tigress) being hit and sunk. The last of April our 
corps was ordered up the Yazoo to threaten Haines' Bluff, while 
Grant was attacking Grand Gulf This move accomplished its 
purpose effectively, creating confusion in Vicksburg, and caus- 
ing Pemberton to recall a large force which he had sent lo assist 
Gen Bowen at Grand Gulf Keturning from the Yazoo, our 
brigade remained at Milliken's Bend a few days, and then 
marched to Eichmond, crossed the Mississippi and hurried for- 
ward, overtaking the divison May 17th. We passed over the 
battlefield of Champion Hills, which the enemy had so stub- 
bornly contested the day before. Dead rebels, dead horses, 
broken caissons, canteens and muskets were scattered over the 



THIRTY-SEVENTH REGmE:^^T, O. V. V, I. 21 



field. That day we picked up a number of Loring's command, 
who seemed anxious to be captured. On the afternoon of the 
18th we reached Big Black river, where the few rebels who 
were trying to prevent our crossing were soon brushed away, 
and we continued our march, arriving in rear of Vicksburg 
late that night, having made the distance from Grand Gulf(be- 
tween eighty and ninety miles), in just three days. 

Our division took position on Graveyard road, a short dis- 
tance from the confederate defences, Gen. Steele being on our 
right. At 2 o'clock on the 19th the firing of artillery was the 
signal for a general assult, when our men made a vigorous at- 
tack along the whole line, but it was not successful. Our regi. 
ment sustained considerable loss in this charge, Lieut. Wintzer 
and several men being killed, and Lieut. Col. VonBles- 
singh, Lieut. Langenderfer and a number of the men wounded. 
In this engagement I saw Col. VonBlessingh walk up and 
down the line of the regiment perfectly indifferent to rebel 
bullets. The drum corps assisted the wounded off the field 
and were more or less exposed to the rebel fire This assault 
having been unsuccessful, Gen. Grant determind to make an- 
other on the 22nd. At 10 that morning the army moved to 
the attack. Our brigade crossed the ola Graveyard road and, 
headed by a storming party of 150 volunteers provided with 
poles, axes and ladders, rushed forward, Gen. Hugh Ewing in 
the lead. A portion of the party reached the ditch in front of 
the rebel parapet, but as their boards where too short, but few 
reached the fort. I saw some of that brave band plant our 
flagon the rebel parapet, where it waived till night, as any at- 
tempt to seize it would have been certain death. Many of the 
storming party were killed in that terrible assault, their dead 
bodies so obstructing the narrow road that it was difficult to 
pass. At this point the fire was so distructive that our brigade 
sought shelter in the slope of a revine a few rods from the rebel 
works. To advance was almost sure death from the enemy's 
cross and concentrated fire. I saw Gen, Ewing at the 
head of the Thirtieth Ohio,, gallantly leading our brigade in that 



22 THIRTY SEVENTH BEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

charge, and I greatly admired his personal bravery. Gen. F. 
P. Blair, our division commander, was also at the front person- 
ally directing his men. During this engagement the work of 
getting the wounded from the field and supplying water to the 
men was most hazardous; yet the drummers discharged such 
duty faithfully. The losses were severe, our Division suffering 
more severely than any other. The result of the second at- 
tempt demonstrated that the enemy's position was too • strong 
to be carried by direct assault, when Gen. Grant determined up- 
on a regular siege. Our regiment occupied a position in a ravine 
two or three hundred yards from the enemy's defense, and 
were under fire from the time of investment until surrender. 
After Col. VonBlessingh was wounded, the command of the 
regiment devolved upon Major Hipp, who was always very 
popular with the men. Col Siber who had been absent in the 
north, returning the latter part of June and assumed command. 

About this time I received the sad news of my father's death, 
but as it would have taken me more than a week to reach home, 
I did not apply for leave of absence. 

The labor of digging trenches and building earthworks 
was kept up, and were continually pushing our works nearer 
and nearer the enemy, finally getting so close that our men 
could easily converse with them, and often exchanged hard-tack 
for tobacco. 

June 25th an attempt was made to blow up the enemy's par- 
apet, which had been undermined in front of Ranson's brigade; 
but it failed. Another attempt was made July 1, which was 
successful, destroying the fort, besides killing and wounding 
a number of men occupying it. 

On theSdof July white flags were seen on some of the rebel 
works, when the firing along the line ceased. These signals 
were a pleasing sight to us, and the news soon spread along the 
line that Vicksburg was about to capitulate. The terms lor 
the surrender of this most important position having been 
agi'eed upon between Grant and Pemberton, the rebels on the 
morning of the 4th marched out and stacked their arms, while 



THIRTY SEVKNTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I, 23 



we sat bappy spectators on our works. The immediate result 
of this victory included the surrender ot'Lieut. Gen. Pemberton, 
and four major and twelve brigadier generals, and from 28,000 
to 30,000 men, with 225 sie^e and field guns, and 30,000 stand of 
small arms. The losses of the Thirty-Seventh in the assaults 
of the 19th and 22d and subsequent siege were 19 killed and 75 
wounded. 

July 5th we turned our faces toward Jackson, i-eachingthe 
Big Black the same night, and on the 7th continued to Clinton, 
arriving in front of Jackson the 19th, after a very fatiguing 
march, the heat being intense and the roads dusty. After a 
reconnoissanco by a portion of the Thirteenth corps on the 
11th, in which it lost nearly six hundred men, the siege was 
confined to artillery firing. 

On the night of the 15th Col. Siber sent word for me to 
come to his quarters, when I accompanied him to our outer 
line. There was a good deal of stir in Jackson, and the colonel 
was under the impression that the rebels were evacuating. 
We remained for two or three hours, during which time we 
rested for a while, I being under the same blanket with the 
colonel. I shall never forget how careful he tucked the cov- 
ers about me. We had lain but a short time when the colonel 
arose, and walking up and down, seemed to be listening in- 
tently. I fell asleep, and after an hour or two Col. Siber awoke 
me, and we returned to camp. 1 felt highly complimented by 
the colonel's calling on me to accompany him that night. The 
morning of the 17th proved that Col. Siber's surmises were 
correct, for it was found that Johnt-ton had withdrawn during 
the night, and we marched into Jackson, where we remained 
for about a week, the regiment finding quarters in and around 
the state house. During our stay in Jackson the Thiity- 
seventh did provost guard duty- 
After a few days we were ordered to return. The weather 
was hot, the roads very dusty and water scarce, making the 
return march very severe. The night we reached Big Black 
river less than one hundred men were in the ranks when the 



24 THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

regiment went into cam}), but during the night the stragglers 
came up and were present at roll call the next morning (July 
24th). 

While on orderly service (and I may mention here that in 
the Thirty-seventh this was exclusively the duty of the drum- 
mers), one day d iring our stay in camp Sherman, I learned from 
Adjutant. Neburg that the colonel was about to appoint a 
color-bearer for the new regimental flag, and knowing that my 
bunk mate (Comrade Torgler) was ambitious to carry the ban- 
ner, 1 recommended him to the adjutant, who in turn made like 
recommendation to Col. Siber, and Torgler was appointed. 

In September 1863, we were enjoying a season of rest and 
reorganization at Camp Sherman, near the Big Black river, 
after months of active and successful campaigning against Vicks- 
burg and Jackson, Miss,, and as it was a delightful camp, and 
our duties not arduous, consisting mostly of drill and guard 
duty, we were content to remain here during mid-summer. 
But our situation was too delightful to be of long duration. 
After the memorable battle of Chickamagua, the army of the 
Tennessee, Gen. W. T. Sherman commanding, was ordered to 
Chattanooga. 

Near the close of the month we bid adieu to our pleasant 
quarters at Camp Sherman and marched to Vicksburg, where 
my regiment, the 37th Ohio Infantry, embarked on the steamer 
Nashville for Memphis, arriving in the city of the Magnolias 
early in October. After remaining here about a week, we be- 
gan the long march to Chattanooga, passing through German- 
town, Jackson, Lagrange, and other towns in western Ten- 
nessee. On October 13th we halted at Pocahontas and held 
state election, the regiment giving practically its unanimous 
vote for John Brough, the Union candidate for governor of 
Ohio. The following day we resumed march to Corinth, Miss., 
where we received four months' pay, and thence to luka. 

The confederate general Forrest appeared in our front 
about this time, the 37th with other troops, driving him off. 
We made a short stop at Tuscumbia, Ala., marching then to a 



4 

THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. Y. I. 25 

point on the Tennessee river opposite Florence, returning the 
same night and continuing the following day to Cherokee sta- 
tion, and thence to Eastport, where we crossed the Tennessee. 
Our command then pushed forward through Florence, Pulaski 
and Fayetteville, reaching Bridgeport on the 18th of Novem- 
ber, 1863. After a short stay here we marched to Chattanooga, 
going into a concealed camp on the west side of the river, 
about four miles above. When the regiment had stacked arms. 
Comrade William Smith of my company and I started back to 
Chattanooga, about four miles, to visit the Maumee boys of 
the 14th Ohio, and whom we had not seen since leaving home 
more than two years before. Though it was late and the pon- 
toon bridge over the Tennessee was guarded, we succeeded in 
getting safely over, and after wandering about Chattanooga for 
some time, reached the camp of the 14th about 9 p. m. The 
boys were both delighted and surprised to see us, we remain- 
ing with them that night. In the morning we learned that 
it would be impossible to cross the river without a pass, so we 
called upon Col. Phelps of the 38th Ohio, who commanded the 
brigade of which the 14th was a part and he kindly gave 
us the bit of paper which enabled us to return to our 
camp. Col. Phelps was killed three days later while gallantly 
leading his brigade in the assault on Mission Ridge. The 23rd 
was spent in camp, from which we had a splendid view of 
Chattanooga, and also witnessed the movement of Hooker 
"above the clouds" on Lookout Mountain. That night we re- 
ceived three days' rations and marched down to the river. 

About that time the Tennessee was swoolen by rains and 
the current was rapid. Upwards of 100 fiat boats had been 
floated into South Chicamaugua creek, about four miles above 
Chattanooga, designed for a pontoon bridge. Our major was 
placed in command of the detail, having in charge the boats 
and was ordered to cross the river, secure a landing, continue 
dispatching the boats back and forth until two divisions had 
crossed, and then turn the boats over to the pioneer corps 
under Gen. "Baldy" Smith, who were to build the bridge. The 

[41 



26 THIETY- SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

night was dark, with a drizzling rain. About midnight all 
was ready and the signal given to cross, Maj. Hipp'sboat lead- 
ing the fleet, John Hess, of Company E, 37th, being his com- 
panion. The major pushed well into the river and, after a 
while, headed straight for the south shore, and, on nearing the 
point where it was proposed to land, a picket fire was discov- 
ered and they headed directly for it. Our men hurried out of 
the boats and up the bank, surprising and capturing all the 
rebel pickets but one. The surprise was so complete that the 
"Johnnies" scarcely realized the situation. At this time a 
rebel videt came up at full speed, shouting, "The Yanks are 
coming." He was promptly dismounted and invited to join his 
comrades just captured. Maj. Hipp recrossed to the other side 
followed by the flat boats. On getting back the darkness made 
it difficult for him to find our troops and he shouted for the 
second division of the fifteenth corps, when he was immediately 
answered in suppressed voices to keep still or he would be ar- 
rested. Having no time for exjilanation and becoming impa- 
tient the major cried out: "where in the h— 1 is Gen. Sherman?" 

The answer promptly came through the darkness from the 
general himself, who was not more than 50 feet away. "What 
do you want?" The major answered, "I want a brigade ; the 
boats are in waiting." The general at once asked, "did you 
make a landing?" Major Hipp answered, "yes, and captured the 
picket," Gen. Sherman who was on horseback, surrounded by his 
stafi", was so elated that he took off his hat and cheered. 

At this time we embi^rked, and after a short though seem- 
ly long ride landed on the south bank of the river. Our major 
continued the work of crossing and recrossing with fresh loads 
until morning, when two full divisions were on the east bank 
of the Tennessee. Meantime, our men put in splendid work 
digging intrenchments. Gen, Sherman, who had crossed 
in one of the flat boats just behind us, personally superintended, 
the work, and I well remember the general's remark, "pitch in 
boys, this is the last ditch; "as he walked up and down the line. 

At the dawn of day a pontoon bridge was built over the 



THIETY-SBVENTH EEGIMBNT, O. V. V, I. 27 

Tennessee and another over Chicamagua creek, near the mouth. 
That night's undertaking had been grandly accomplished and 
Gen. Sherman must have been one of the happiest men in 
Grant's army. In his memoirs (page 374) the General says : 
"I will here bear willing testimony to the completeness of this 
whole business. All the officers charged with the work were 
present and manifested a skill that I cannot praise too highly. 
I never beheld any work done so quickly and so well, and I 
doubt if the history of war can show a bridge of that extent 
(thirteen hundred and fifty feet) laid so noiselessly and so 
well in so short a time." 

At daybreak we were on the south side of the river 
strongly entrenched, prepared to meet any force Bragg might 
pit against us. It must have been both a surprise and a mor- 
tification to Gen. Bragg when he saw Sherman's army on the 
morning of 24th securely fortified on the south bank of the 
Tennessee. I consider this one of the most strategic manoeu- 
vers of the war, and have always felt a glowing pride in the 
conspicuous part my regiment bore in that night's work. On 
the 24th we moved forward with skirmishers in advance, over 
an open field to the hill near the railroad tunnel, where we 
fortified for the night. From our position we could see Hook- 
er's men on Lookout Mountain, and also had a good view of 
the Army of the Cumberland on our right. Early in the morn- 
ing of the 25th we passed the valley which lay between us and 
the next hill, where the enemy had massed the corps of Hardee 
and Buckner, the point of the ridge being held by the gallant 
Claiburne. 

Gen. Corse attacked the enemy's position but it was so 
strong that but little headway was made, although the contest 
for a few minutes was severe. I saw the general carried off 
the field badly wounded. 

During this time our brigade was under cover of temporary 
works, from which the enemy had been driven that morning. 
It must have been near noon when the order was given to ad- 
vance. As our men moved upon the enemy's works, I left my 



28 THIKTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

drum and went forward with the regiment. The assult lasted 
but a few minutes, the firing from the enemy's intrenched posi- 
tion being simply terrible — grape, canister shot and shell rained 
upon us. The fire was so murderous that it fairly plowed up 
the leaves and made the very ground seem alive. Twice our 
forces charged upon the rebel works, and twice our bleeding 
lines were compelled to fall back. So strong was Claiburne's 
position in our immediate front that 1,000 men could hold it 
against ten times their number. 

In this assault my regiment lost forty-one in killed and 
wounded. 

I was hit by a rifle ball im the left thigh and bled from the 
wound until the ground under me seemed saturated with blood. 
I became very thirsty, but fortunately had two canteens of water4 
At my side lay Comrade Weber, of company A, who had been 
instantly killed. As wc were not very far from the enemy's 
works and our men had fallen back to the point from which 
the advance was made a few moments before, my position was 
not an enviable one, as 1 lay between two fires. Capt. John 
Hamm, of company A, who had always been very kind to me, 
having been told that I lay wounded in front of our line, went 
over to my company and reported the fact, asking, "who will 
go and get him out?" Wm. Smith promptly answered, "I will." 
Another comrade pointing out the direction in which 1 lay, he 
went to the left of the line, and advancing some distance un- 
der cover of the hill, sprang forward, hurriedly placed me up- 
on his back, although there was much firing, we were soon 
under cover of the hill to the left of our line. 

I was then placed upon a stretcher and carried to the rear, 
where the boys gathered around me expressing their warmest 
sympathy. My leg was bandaged by Surgeon Billhardt and I 
was carried to a log cabin in the ravine, below the point from 
which we made the advance. I remained ujDon the porch with 
other wounded until dark, when I was placed upon a stretcher 
and taken some distance over the hill, where I was put into an 
ambulance and taken to a jjoint on the Tennessee river near 



THIETY-SBVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. 1. 29 

the mouth of Chickamagua creek. Here I was laid upon the 
surgeon's table, and after an examination of my wound the 
surgeon informed me that my leg was so badly shattered that 
amputation was necessary, or words to that effect, i objected, 
but my objection was not heeded; I was then chloroformed and 
on awakening felt for my leg but it was gone. 

The next day I asked the surgeon for the bullet, and he 
told me it was in many pieces, being an English explosive 
rifle ball. After remaining here about ten days, I was with 
others placed in an ambulance and taken to the field hospital 
at Chattanooga. At this time I was 17 years of age. 

As my regiment belonged to the 15th Army Corps, I will 
conclude this account of my personal experience at Mission 
Kidge with a brief extract from General Sherman's official re- 
port of the operations of his troops during that campaign, as 
follows: 

In reviewing the facts I must do justice to the men of my 
command for the patience, cheerfulness and courage which 
officers and men have displayed throughout in battle or on the 
march and in the camp, for long periods, without regular 
rations or supplies of any kind, sometimes barefooted, without 
a murmur. Without a moment's rest after a march of over 400 
miles, without sleep for three successive nights, we crossed the 
Tennessee, fought our part of the battle of Chattanooga, pur- 
sued the enemy out of Tennessee, and then turned more than 
120 miles north and compelled Longstreet to raise the seige 
of Knoxville. I cannot speak of the Fifteenth army corps 
without a seeming vanity; but as I am no longer its comman- 
der I assert that there is no better body of soldiers in America 
than it. I wish all to feel a just pride in its honors." 

After our removal to the Field Hospital I was about to 
lose my faithful nurse. Comrade Michael Conely, of the fifty- 
seventh Ohio, who had been assigned elsewhere. I felt so bad- 
ly when Comrade Conely informed me that he was thus 
assigned, that I wept. When the surgeon in charge learned 
of my great attachment for niy nurse, he continued Conely on 



30 THIETY-SEYENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

duty in my tent, and I was tenderly cared for until February, 
when I was able to use crutches. About this time the wound- 
ed, who were able to set about were sent to Nashville, and I 
was obliged to bid Comrade Conely good-bye. I i-emained in 
the hospital at Nashville about a week, when we were sent to 
Brown's hospital at Louisville. 

Desirous of returning home as soon as possible, I had 
early applied for a discharge from the Army, but did not re- 
ceive it until May 1, 1864, it being dated April 25. My failure 
to get it sooner was a great dissappointment to me, as I was 
anxious to get back to see my only sister, then very ill, and 
whom I had not seen since leaving home in 1861. She died 
about a month before my discharge came. 

As my regiment was returning to the front after their 
veteran furlough, and passed through Louisville the day I was 
starting for home, I had the pleasure of seeing the boys for the 
first time since the battle of Mission Eidge, and for the last 
time in the service of Uncle Sam. 1 then took a boat for Cin- 
cinnati, Having been informed by Capt. Shoening that my 
comrades had most generously provided a purse for supplying 
me with an artificial limb, I made arrangements for such while 
in that city and reached Maumee early in May, 1864, after an 
absence of nearly three years. 

My comrades, the old scenes have passed as a panorama 
before me as I have attempted to give you some of my obser- 
vations and experiences during those memorable days of 1861 
to 1864, and I thank God, that it was His pleasure to permit 
me, in the ranks of the thirty-seventh Ohio, to give my humble 
service in defense of the grandest and freest Eepublic human 
eyes have beheld. 

Song — Solo. 
Lieut. Fred. Krumm, 

Address — "From Mission Ridge to Larkinsville, Ala." 

By Comrade William Schulenberg. 
Comrades and Fellow Citizens : — 

In taking up the narrative of personal recollections of the 



THIRTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. Y. V. I, 31 



war, beginning with the Battle of Missionary Eidge, at which 
point Comrade Kountz, who proceeded me, concluded, 1 beg 
leave to go over a small portion of the same ground already 
taken up by Comrade Kountz, for the reason that the most 
active part that 1 took in the attack on Missionary Ridge began 
with the crossing of the river the night previous to the attack, 
which has already been explained. To effect the crossing a 
detail of men from the different regiments of the 15th Army 
Corps was made, who in the opinion of the officers, had some 
experience in boating, for the purpose of rowing the pontoons 
with the troops across. The detail for this purpose of Co. C, 
of our regiment, consisted of myself and Comrade Christian 
and Fred Roettger. The pontoons were taken on wagons to 
the Little Chicamango River, hidden from view of the enemy 
across the river, under command of Major Hipp, as already ex- 
plained. The undertaking was a daring one, and to many it 
appeared preposterous and foolish that it should be undertaken 
at all, for they could not believe that it was possible for us to 
cross the river unobserved by the rebels and that any of the 
occupants of the boats would ever step upon the rebel shore 
alive, except as prisoners; but it proved that they were mis- 
taken and that those who undertook it had the capability to suc- 
cessfully carry it out. Everything being in readiness we em- 
barked upon the pontoons, and for two nights kept our positions 
in them awaiting orders to move, which we did on the third night, 
with Major Hipp in the lead, and we following with the 55th Illi- 
nois and other regiments on board. Rowing down to the mouth 
of the Little Chicamango we entered the Tennessee and crossed 
about five miles below, under cover of the night, with the result 
already described by Comrade Kountz, up to the time of his 
being wounded and brought out. 

The battle continued in all its fury and the heavy cannon- 
ading soon set fire to the leaves on the ground and burning 
some of the unfortunate comrades who were wounded and un- 
able to escape the terrible doom that stared them in the face. 
When the fight had somewhat subsided we began to look around 



32 THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. Y. Y. I. 



after the missing ones of our company and found quite a num- 
ber unaccounted for, which we naturally f?u2)po8ed were wounded 
and lying near the rebel works among the burning leaves, my 
brother being among the missing with comrades Herbst and 
Meyer. After disarming, we cautiously advanced towards the 
rebel works as a rescuing party, using the standing timber as 
much as possible for protection, and here let it be said to the credit 
of the rebels, that even in this hour of excitement they remember- 
ed that we were on a mission of humanity, for as soon as they ob- 
served that we were unarmed and the work in which we were 
engaged, one of the rebel officers invited us to advance, promis- 
ing us that no harm should befall us as long as we came unarm- 
ed and engaged in removing our wounded comrades, and passed 
the order along the line of his men in our frouut not to fire upon 
any who were .thus engaged. We took the officer at his word 
and advancecl unmolested and brought out all we could find. 
In the meantime our missing comrades were attending to the 
wounded whom they had carried to a place of safety in a deep 
ravine below the ridge out ol reach of rebel bullets. The battle 
continued and finally the enemy under tover of the night re- 
treated and left us mastex-s of the field, and then only did I learn 
the extent of the damage done, which far exceeded my esti- 
mate and probably never would have known what horrors and 
sufferings resulted from the Battle of Missionary Ridge had it 
not been for a little circumstance with which I became con- 
nected the next morning, after the escape ot the rebels, when 
orders were given to persue them at once. I was requested by 
Major Hipp to proceed to a certain place designated by him to 
look for his field glass which he had left hanging on a fence 
near the battle field the day before. I proceeded on my errand 
and approached an open field which presented to my view a 
scene in which the horrors of war were depicted in all its de- 
tails and one that I have oftener recalled to my mind then any- 
thing to which I was an eye witness during the whole war. 
There was spread out before me several acres covered with dead 
and dying soldiers who had been gathered from the battle field 



THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 33 

by a large force of men detailed for that purpose. A number 
were engaged in digging long and deep trenches, in each of 
which some forty or fifty were laid to rest; others were pre- 
paring them for burial and tying cards to them for future ref- 
ference, on which their names, company and regiments were 
written if known. A number of them were yet alive, who had 
been left upon the field for dead or had for the time being been 
abandoned by the field physicians as hopeless cases, to die upon 
the field, as they were over worked in attending to those who 
in their opinion had any show for life. These poor comrades 
were lying prone upon their backs, some merely breathing and 
unconscious of their fate, while others in their agony would at 
times roll over upon each other and bring forth heart rendering 
groans and prayers for death to relieve them. I departed from 
the scene with a heavy heart. I found the field glass and re- 
turned to the regiment and a little later we were on the march 
in pursuit of the enemy, with three days' rations, but for want 
of a sufficient supply, we drew only a half ration of crackers 
and coffee. It was also recommended to reduce the weight of 
our knapsacks as much as possible, and in consequence many 
of us carried nothing but a rubber and woolen blanket besides 
what clothes we wore, which we afterwards regretted, for before 
we returned to where we could get supplies, we were nearer 
naked then clothed, nor were we accompanied by a provision 
train, as there was neither train or provisions at the time of our 
starting in pursuit, to carry along, and we had to subsist upon 
what the country afforded and what little the enemy in their 
flight had been unable to carry off' or destroy. We caught up 
with a portion of Bragg's Army the first night and captured 
part of his provision train loaded with corn meal which we ap- 
propriated to our own use and for a short time the slapjack 
business flourished as long as the meal held out. After that 
our bill of fare was not noted for quality nor quanity; with all 
the effoi'ts of ourselves and foraging party, who were not slow 
in getting anything if it was anywhere to be had, we could 
hardly gather enough to keep soul and body together; at times 

[5] 



34 THIKTY-SBVENTH EBGIMBNT, O, V. V. I. 

we were so hungry and weak that we could not sleep for want 
of something to eat, at least that was the condition I found my- 
self in at different times. One night a company of Cavalry 
camj)ed near us and when all were apparently asleep I slipped 
up to one of their horses and robbed it of part of its feed, an ear 
of corn, and made a meal of it, which enabled me to sleep the 
balance of the night. With all our hardships and fatigue we 
managed to keep up with the rebels, and frequently had to urge 
them a little, but thej'^ managed to keep far enough ahead to pre- 
vent any eerious conflict. 

The incidents on the route were many, but not of a note- 
v/orthy nature. The weariness of our march was at times broken 
by the good naturedness of some of the officers and men by insti- 
tuting a little wholesome sport to drive away the blues, whenever 
an opportunity presented itself. Promiment among them was 
General Morgan L. Smith, who nevei- lost an opportunity to dis- 
play his good humor, when by so doing he could add anything 
to cheer his weary followers. On one occasion when riding at 
the head of our column, he stopped short, commanded halt, stack 
arms, open ranks, rode through the center and informed us 
that a hand to hand combat was awaiting us within a few min- 
utes, and to at once prepared ourself for the fight; that he had 
Spied a rebel in a thicket just ahead of us whom he wanted cap- 
tured, and that he was positive that he would resit and perhaps 
make his escape if we failed to do our full duty, and as he want- 
ed him alive we were to surround the ticket without arms to 
prevent any one from shooting him. We dej)loyed as skir- 
mishers closing in on the center where he had proceed- 
ed us and pointed out to us a little gray squirrel on a little sapling, 
surrounded by numerous other little saplings with no large trees 
near, by which he could make his escape. Wc began to chase 
the so-called rebel from sapling to sapling when finally after a 
great deal of yelling, stone and club throwing, the squirrel 
dropped to the ground and was quickly picked up alive by one 
of the boj^s, when one of the comrades ask the General how he 
knew the squirrel to be a rebel; he replied that he could tell by 



THIETY SEVEKTH EEGIMENT, O. Y. V. I, 35 



the uniform he wore. We again took up our march with re- 
newed spiril, and at night pitched our blankets for tents, (we 
had none) in and around the barn yard of a farmer. The old 
fellow sized us up and no doubt concluded that the way we 
eyed his hen-house, that there was danger that bis remainirg 
chickens might be persuaded to desert him during the night, 
unless something was done to prevent our coming in contact 
with them, and at once attempted to play the Union racket, by 
claiming to be a Union man, and entitled to have his property 
protected during our stay, and inquired of me to whom he must 
apply for a guard. I referred him to General Smith, who just then 
came riding along. He halted the General and after a bow that 
almost doubled him up, stated his case. The General listened very 
attentively for a minute and then replied in his rough manner: 
"What, what, fight and guard you both, no sir." "But Gen- 
eral, I am a Union man," said the Farmer. "Union hell," re- 
plied the General, "you are all Union men when you want pro- 
tection and your cussed rebels are not about." "Please Generab 
only protect the chickens; my wife is sickly and likes nothing 
better then chickens." "Dont doubt it" replied the General, "if 
there is anything that my boys like better then chickens, it is 
more of them; am I right boys," addressing himself to us who 
were standing around. We replied in the affirmative, and the 
General rode off without furnishing the guard. How the chick- 
ens fared you can imagine. 

We resumed our march and followed the enemy to within 
a few miles of Knoxville, Tennessee, when General Burnside 
had been exchanging salutes with the rebel General Longstreet^ 
who had on the 28th day of November attacked Burnside at 
Knoxville, and was repulsed with great slaughter, after which 
ho withdrew, two daj's before wo arrived to relieve Burnside. 

General Sherman and other officers rode into Knoxville 
and finding it in full possession of our forces and the enemy 
gone, ordered a return, and the about-face march again. On 
our return from Knoxville our course led us over a portion of 
the Smokey Mountains of East Tennessee, and we again had to 



36 THIETY- SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 



subsist upon what the country afforded, which however was no 
improvement over our previous route. A pint of corn meal a 
day was a large average. The roads were rough and rocky and 
our foot-gear began to give out, and our clothes compared fav- 
orably with Nasby's suit after he deserted the Union Army 
and joined the rebels, who exchanged his new blue suit for one 
of gray which consisted chiefly of holes with here and there a rag 
around them; very appropriate for the summer season, but rather 
airy at the time, as it was December and verj^ cold. We finally 
arrived at Chattanooga almost naked and nearly starved; the 
weather was intensely cold and the ground frozen and it became 
impossible for those without good foot-gear to proceed any 
further overland, and yet many miles from our destination; but 
no dispair, remembering that where there is a will there is a way, 
we were not long in finding the way. We took possession of a 
number of pontoons that were anchored at Chattanoga upon 
which the foot sore were embarked, taken down the river to the 
mouth of Mud Creek, up the creek to Bellfoute, Alabama, where 
we were again joined by the rest of the army, who had taken the 
overland route. I having made the trip on the river as one of the 
orsman detailed for that purpose, we arrived there almost a 
day in advance of the troops on foot. 

Here we went into camp without shelter of any kind and 
nothing to eat. This was on the New Year's night of 1864, so 
well remembered by the people of the North, as the coldest 
night that ever opened the door of a New Year. It must not 
be supposed that it was as cold in Alabama as it was in the 
North here, nor must it be forgotten that the cold wave of 1864 
had visited the Southern states more severely than any had 
ever done before, and that spending the night in the open air 
hugging our little camjD fires, blinded with the smoke of green 
wood, that we had to use for want of any other, was anything 
but pleasant. The next day we made good use of our lungs in 
yelling for hard-tack and sow-belly whenever a Commanding 
General came in sight, but it was of little avail. The officers 
tried their best to get provisions, but were unable to get any- 



THIRTY- SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V, I. 37 

more then just enough to keep soul and body together. The 
second day our Regiment was ordered to proceed up the rail- 
road some eight or ten miles, to pull down by hand a crack- 
er train, that for want of a locomotive could not otherwise be 
brought down. The order was received with delight and was 
readily obeyed. The 37th Regiment was never very slow in 
charging upon anything, much less a cracker train. 

It was not my lot to accompany the Regiment on this 
pleasant expedition, having been detailed to do picket duty 
near the camp. They returned with the cracker train a little 
after dark, the same day, and the distribution of the crackers 
began soon thereafter and amounted to three crackers for every 
two men. When the roll was called for drawing our rations it 
was found that my brother Ben and Comrade Wm. Wiedman 
were missing. I made inquiries of what had become of them, 
but no one knew anything about "them anymore than that they 
had been in ranks all day and were not missed until after dark. 
I drew my brother's portion of the crackers in addition to my 
own, and returned to my post on picket. An hour or so later, 
I heard the approach of some one cautiously coming through 
the timber towards me. The night was dark, and nothing 
could be seen five feet away. I waited until the object came 
within the reach of my gun, locating it by the sound of the 
breaking of twigs and underbrush, through which the object 
was coming, drew up my gun and commanded "Halt, who 
comes there." the answer came quick enough, but not in the 
usual form of "A friend with the countersign," but instead 
"Yes, who comes there. If you knew that the comer bad 
something to eat you wouldn't be so particular, about, who 
comes there." I recognized the voice of my brother and al- 
lowed him to advance without any other countersign. He 
was accompanied by Comrade Wideman, each bearing on their 
backs some dark object which they dropped at my feet and 
upon examination, I found in their rubber blankets a box of 
crackers that had in some way deserted the cracker train. 
That night we attended a surprise party— surprised our inner- 
man. 



38 THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V, V. I. 

We soon afterwards again broke camp and proceeded ftir- 
ther and stopped at Larkinsville, Alabama, as we supposed for 
the winter, and began to build shelter of whatever material we 
could find and before long some of us were in comfortable quar- 
ters; when we were again called upon to abandon them, after 
a short staj^. During our stay there we made a scouting tour 
among the mountains on the other side of the Tennessee Eiver, 
the home of the Moon,8hiners, and spent a few days among 
them incpecting their stills and the proof of their highwines, 
which proved strong enough to knock the pins out from under 
some of the inspectors, so much so that they imagined they 
heard the command of "Lay down"' and governed themselves 
accordingly, and when the command was given to fall in some 
of them had fell in so much that it was with difficulty to get 
them to obey ihe command. General Smith came along and 
amused himself by assisting in getting them into line, and 
whenever he found one that he could not persuade to get up, 
he would detail two men to raise the drows}^ comrade to a sit- 
ting position and have the men rub his ears with all their 
might, and if the first application failed to have the desired 
effect, he would order a second, which would generally bring 
them to their feet. The next day, while stoj^ping on the way 
side for rest the General rode up and inquired how we all felt 
after the charge on the highwine the day before ; he was told 
that we were ready to make another like charge. He then re- 
marked that he hoped we would all re-enlist. This was at a 
time when efforts were made to re-enlist by regiments whose 
term of service was drawing to a close. He was informed that 
if he himself would stay and guarantee that the highwine 
would hold out, we would all re-enlist and see the game out. 
This remark seemed ^to please him and he promised to stay 
with us and do the best he could. After our return to Larkins- 
ville from this expedition, we broke camyj and returned to 
Cleveland, Tennessee, where a large majority of the regiment 
re-enlisted for three years more or during the war. 

While at Cleveland I was informed that in conformity 



THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 39 

with an order from the War Department, I, with Major Hipp 
ana three others of the i-egiment, had been assigned as trans- 
ferers of substitutes from the State of Ohio to the seat of war. 
and to hold myself in readiness to start for Columbus, Ohio, and 
report myself for duty ; bat before we started Northward we 
again returned to Larkensville, Alabama, where I shortly 
afterwards, in company with the other comrades assigned for 
that purpose, took leave from the regiment. We arrived at 
Columbus, in due time and reported for duty. The next day 
after our arrival I found myself returning to Chattanooga, Ten- 
nessee, with a car load of substitutes, of which a large major- 
ity were Canadians ; who were at the time pouring into the 
States from Canada and entering the service as substitutes, on 
account of the large sums of money that were being paid for 
substitutes. Upon my arrival at Chattanooga 1 learned that 
the 37th Regiment had passed through a few days before, on 
their way homo on a Veteran Furlough for thirty days and be- 
fore I could return to Columbus they would be enjoying the 
happy welcome among the dear ones at home. I longed to 
join them and share their happiness ; and upon my return to 
Columbus I made application for a few days leave of absence. I 
staled my case to Major Skills, commandment of Tod Barraks, 
under whose charge I was and he informed me that it would 
give him pleasure to grant my request if it was at all possible 
but under the state of affairs he could not do so at present. 
The Barraks were over crowded with substitutes who were 
sorely needed in the field and he had not force enough to trans- 
fer them as rapidly as they should be and that he had already 
assigned me a squad with whieh I was to leave that day and 
that perhaps on my return the chances for a short furlough 
would be better; aud so I was doomed to content myself with 
imagination of what a glorious time my comrades were having 
at home. 

Finally after thi-ee trips south 1 obtained a three days 
leave of absence, which allowed me one day at home, as the 
other two were taken up in coming and returning. On my 



40 THIRTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. Y. V. I. 

arrival at home I found a hearty welcome and enjoyed my lit- 
tle furlough with great satisfaction and on the following day 
again bid adieu to home and friends, and returned to my post 
at Columbus, and again entered upon my duty of transfering 
substitutes. 

The regiment's thirty days furlongh having expired a tew 
days after my visit home, they returned to the field for duty. 
On their return to the field Major Hipp passed through Colum- 
bus for the purpose of having himself and the rest of us re- 
lieved from transfering substitutes and return to the field with 
the Eegiment. He succeeded in so far as himself and the other 
three were concerned, who happpened to be in Columbus at the 
time, and joined the Regiment. 1 being away on a trip South 
was left behind, and on my return Major Skiles refused to re- 
lease me and I was continued on the force for nearly seven 
months, always on the road to and from the seat of war. Fin- 
ally I was relieved and assigned to a desk in the forwarding 
office at Tod Barraks in Columbus, Ohio, to work on muster 
roils; which position I held to the end of my term of 
service, which ended with the close of the war, and returned to 
mj^ home with the satisfaction • of knowing that Victory was 
ours and proud of having been a member of the 37th Ohio Vol. 
Infantry. 

Comrades, I am glad and happy to-night that we have been 
permitted, after these many years, to meet once more under 
more pleasant circumstances, with the knowledge that the 
friendship formed in camp and cemented by deeds of valor on 
the battlefield, have not been forgotten, and will not as long as 
life last. We were comrades in scenes that tried the souls and 
courage of as all, we were associates in a struggle that gave 
new birth to the Republic. Is it any wonder then that the men 
who were soldiers in the days when they were the Idols of the 
people, because in their hands lay the safety of ^the country, 
now look back to those exciting days with pride and pleasure. 
We would not be true men if we forgot the past ; we were com- 
rades then and we are comrades now, and will be until the 



THIRTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 41 

roll is complete beyond the skies. We are growing old and 
have no longer the smell of powder smoke in our nostrils, but 
we are as ready now to share our last crust with a needy com- 
rade as we were to divide the last bit of hardtack when the 
supply train failed to come in on time. As veterans of the war 
we are proud of the granduer and progress of our country and 
as we gather around our comrades, as we do to-night,who has a 
better right to recall the scenes of Camp, Campaign and Bat- 
tle than we who by our united efforts, made the present pros- 
perity of our fellow citizens not only a possibility but a solemn 
and glorious fact. Let us hope that the peace so dearly bought 
has come to stay and that we may be permitted to enjoy 
many more like meetings, and that the men of the North and 
South, with true brotherly feeling, will stand shoulder to shoul- 
der in support of our magnificent Eepublic, ready to carry the 
musket and the sword in united strength against any foreign 
foe that may dare to menace our common and glorious Flag. 

Song — " The Vacant Chair." 

Quartette and Chorus. 

THE VACANT CHAIR 

We shall meet, but we shall miss him. 

There will be one vacant chair; 
We shall linger to caress him, 

While we breathe our evening prayer. 
When those years ago we gathered, 

Joy was in his mild blue eye; 
But a golden cord is served, 
And our hopes in ruin lie. 
Chorus— We shall meet, but we shall miss him 
There will be one vacant chair ; 
We shall linger to caress him, 

When we breathe our evening prayer. 
At our fireside, sad and lonely, 

Often will the bosom swell, 
At remembrance of the story. 
How our noble soldier fell ; 
How he strove to bear our banner 

Through the thickest of the fight, 
And upheld our country's honor. 
In the strength of manhood's might. 
Chorus— We shall meet, etc. 
[61 



42 THIETY-SEYENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 
Recitation — " The Drummer Boy of Mission Ridge." 

(By Special Request.) 

Mrs. Elizabeth Mansfield Irving, 
THE DRUMMER BOY OF MISSION RIDGE. 



THE SERGEANT'S STORY. 



BY KATK IJROWNIiEE SHERWOOD. 

[To Johns. Koiintz, Commander of the Department of Ohio, O. A. R. this 
story of his experience at Missionary Ridge, while serving as Drummer Boy of 
tlie.37th O. V. I.— the story being that of the Sergeant who bore him from the 
field,— is dedicated, as a slight testimonial to his courage on the field of Battle, 
and his fidelity to the veteran's bond of union— "Fraternity, Charity and 
Loyalty."] 

Did ever you hear of the Drummer Boy of Mission Ridge who lay 

With his face to the foe, 'neath the enemy's guns in the charge of that terrible 

day? 
They were firing above him and firing below, and the tempest of shotand shell 
Was raging like death as he moaned in his jiain, by the breastworks where he 

fell. 

We had burnished our muskets and filled our canteens, as we waited for orders 

that morn— 
Who knows when the soldier is dying of thirst where the wounded are wailing 

forlorni? — 
When forth from the squad that was ordered back from the burst of that 

furious fire 
Our Drummer Boy cameand his face wasaflame with the light of a noble desire- 

"Go back with your corps," our Colonel had said, but he waited the moment 

when 
He might follow the ranks and shoulder a gun with the best of us bearded men. 
And so when the signals from old Fort Wood set an army of veterans wild, 
He flung down his drum which spun down the hill like the ball of a wayward 

child. 

And so he fell in with the foremost ranks of brave old Company G, 

As we charged by the flank, with our colors ahead, and our column closed up 

like a V; 
In the long, swinging lines of that splendid advance, when the flags of our corps 

floated out. 
Like the ribbons that dance in the jubilant lines of the march of a gala day 

rout. 

He charged with the ranks, though he carried no gun, for the Colonel had .said 

nay, 
And he breasted the blast of the bristling guns and the shock of the sickning 

fray; 
And when by his side they were falling like hail, he sprang to a comrade slain. 
And shouldered his musket and bore it as true as the hand that was dead to 

pain. 

'Twas dearly we loved him, our Drummer Boy, with a fire in his bright, black 

eye. 
That flashed forth a spirit too great for his form, he only was Just so high,— 
As tall perhaps as your little lad who scarcely reaches your shoulder.— 
Though his heart was the heart of a veteran then, a trifle, in may be, the bolder 



tftmTY-SBVENTH REGIMENT, 0. V. V. I. 43 



He pressed to the front, our lad so leal, and the works were almost won, 
A moment more and our flags had swung o'er the muzzle of the murderous gun- 
But a ranking fire swept the van and he fell 'niid the wounded and the slain, 
With his wee, wan face turned up to Him who feeleth His children's pain. 

Again and again our lines fell back and again with shivering shocks 
They flung themselves on the reble works as the fleets on the jagged rocks; 
To be crushed and broken and scattered amain, as the wrecks of the surging 

storm . • 

Where none may rue and none may reck of aught that has human form. 

So under the Ridge we were lying for the orders to charge again, 
And we counted our comrades missing and we counted our comrades slain; 
And one said, "Johnnie, the Drummer Boy, is grievously sliot and lies 
Just under the enemy's breastworks; if left on the field he dies." 

Then all the blood that was in me surged up to my aching brow, 

And my heart leaped up like u ball in my throat, I can feel it even now, 

And I swore I would bring that boy from the field, if God would spare my 

breatli. 
If all the guns on Mission Ridge should thunder the threat of death. 

I crept and crept up the ghastly Ridge, by the wounded and the dead, 
With the moans of my comrades right and lofi, behind me and yet ahead, 
Till I came to the form of our Drummer Boy, in his blouse of dusty blue, 
With his face to the foe, 'neath the enemy's guns, where the blast of the battle 
blew. 

And his gaze as he met my own, God wot, would have melted a heart of stone, 
As he tried like a wounded bird to rise, and placed his hand in my own: 
So wan and faint with his ruby red blood drank deep by the pitiless sward. 
While his breast with its fleeting, fluttering breath throbbed painfully slow 
and hard. 

And he said in a voice half smothered, though its wispering thrills me yet, 
"I think in a moment more that I would have stood on the parapet. 
For my feet have trodden life's rugged ways, and I have been used to climb 
Where some of the boys have slipped 1 know, but I have never missed a time. 

"But now I nevermore will climb, and Sergeant when you see 
The n:ien go up those breastworks there, just stop and waken me: 
For while I cannot make the ckarge or join ihe cheers that rise, 
I may forget my pain to see the old flag kiss the skies." 

Well, it was hard to treat him so, his poor limb shattered sore. 

But I raised him to my shoulder and to the Surgeon bore; 

And the boys when they saw us coming each gave a shout of joy. 

Though some in curses clothed their prayers, for him, our Drummer boy. 

When sped the news that "PMghting Joe" had saved the Union right, 
With his legions fresh from Lookout: and that Thomas massed his might 
And forced the reble centre; and our cheering rang like wild; 
And Sherman's heart was hapijy as the heart of a little child; 

When Grant from his loafty outlook saw our flags by the hundred fly, 
Along the slopes of Mission Ridge, where'er he cast his eye; 
And our Drummer Boy heard the news and knew the might j- battle done, 
The valiant contest ended, and the glorious victory won; 

Then he smiled in all his agony beneath the Surgeon's steel. 

And joyed that his blood to flow his country's woes to heal; 

And his bright, black eyes so yearning, grew strangely glad aiul wide; 

1 think that in that hour of joy he would have gladly died. 

Ah, ne'ei" again our ranks were cheered by our liKle Drummer's drum, 



44 THIETY-SEVENTfl EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 



When rub, rub, rub-a-dub-dub, we knew that our hour had come; 

Beat brisk at morn, beat sharp at eve, rolled long when it called to arms, 

With rub, rub rub-a-dub. dub, 'mid the clamor of rude alarms! 

Ah, ne'er again our black-eyed boy looked up in the veteran's face. 
To waken thoughts of his children safe in mother love's embrace! 
O ne'er again with tripping feet he ran with the other boys,— 
His budding hopes were cast away as they were idle toys. 

But ever in our hearts he dwells, with a grace that never is old. 

For him the heart to duty wed can nevermore grow coldl 

His heart, the hero's heart, we named the loyal, true and brave, 

The heart of the soldiers hoar and gray, of the lad in his Southern grave! 

And when they tell of their heroes, and the laurels they have won. 

Of the scars they are doomed to carry, of the deeds that they have done; 

Of the horror to be biding among the ghastly dead, 

The gory sod beneath them, the bursting shell o'erhead; 

My heart goes back to Mission Ridge and the Drummer Boy who lay 

With his face to the foe 'neath the enemy's guns, in the charge of that terrible 

day; 
And I say that the land that bears such sons, is crowned anddowerea with all 
The dear God giveth nations to stay them lest they fall. 

O glory of Mission Ridge stream on, like the roseate light of morn, 

On the sons that now are living, on the sons that are yet unborn! 

And cheers for our comrades living and tears as they pass away! 

And three times three for the Drummer Boy who fought at the front that day. 

Song — " Just Before the Battle." 

•Soprano Solo and Quartette Chorus. 

Miss Ella Manor. 
JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE, MOTHER. 

Just before the battle, Mother, 

I am thinking most of you, 
While upon the field we're watching, 

With the enemy in view — 
Comrades brave are I'ound me lying. 

Fill'd with tho't of home and God: 
For well they know that on the morrow 

Some will sleep beneath the sod. 

Oh I long to see you, Mother, 

And the loving ones at home, 
But I'll never leave our banner, 

Till in honor I can come. 
Tell the traitors, all around you, 

That their cruel words we know, 
In every battle kill our soldiers 

By help they give the foe. 

Hark! I hear the bugles sounding, 
'Tis the signal for the fight, 



THIETY-SBVEKTH BEGIMENT, O. V. V. I, 45 

Now may God protect us, Mother, 

As he ever does the right 
. Hear the "Battle cry of Freedom," 

How it swells upon the air, 
Oh, yes we'll rally round the standard 

Or we'll perish nobly there. 



Farewell, Mother, you may never press me to your heart again ; 

But O, you'll not forget me. Mother, if I'm numbered with the slain. 
Farewell, Mother, you may never, you may never, Mother, press me to 
your heart again; 
But O, you'll not forget me, Mother, you will not forget me if I'm 
number'd with the slain. 
Farewell, Mother, you may never, you may never. Mother, press me to 
your heart again. 
But O, you'll not forget me, Mother, you will not forget me if I'm 
number'd with the slain. 

Address — " Atlanta Campaign." 
Comrade John H. Puck. 

Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen: — 

You all doubtless know that it is a soldier's duty to obey 
orders, so in this case v^^hen our worthy President and Com- 
rade, Major Hipp, asked me to give the 37th Regiment and my 
own personal experience of the Atlanta Campaign, I hesitatingly 
complied with his request, knowing my inability to do justice 
to the subject, and will briefly recount the marches, battles and 
exploits as I remember them. It will of course be impossible to 
give the exact dates of battles and incidents as they happened, 
as for the most part I have to rely wholly upon memory. 

As the Comrades all know the Veterans of our Eegiment 
and those of us known as the recruits of 'G2, after having had a 
most delightful furlough ot 30 days duration, said good-bye to 
our wives and sweet-hearts the last days of April 18G4 and 
started for the front. 

Our first trip was from Cleveland to Cincinnati where we ar- 
rived late in the afternoon, or about dusk, and where we were 
quartered for the night in the 5th Street Market House. After 
a strong guard had been put out, (made up from our own boys), 



46 THIETY-SETENTH REGIMENT, 0, V. V. L 

our officers left us and I presume looked up more congenial quar- 
ters, but as you will doubtless remember the guard that was put 
out was of no avail, for the boys were in Ohio and would not be 
guarded, for 1 remember that when Company G was called on 
to furnish her quota of men for camp guard. Comrade Molen- 
koj)l, who was our orderly sergeant, read off the names of the 
detail, mine was among them, but as our orders were not string- 
ent enough to allow us to resort to force, we of course were 
powerless to keep the men in camp, for as soon the officers were 
all gone the men also started to go and as they would leave in 
squads of from ten to twenty, we of course could not hold them; 
after most of the boys were gone I remember we of the guard 
stacked our muskets and also went away wherever inclination 
led us. 

I will here say that this was the only instance where, so 
far as I know, any member of our Regiment deserted his post, 
or refused to do the duty he was ordered to do. 

Our next move southward was to Louisville, Ky., which 
trip was made without any special incident worth mentioning, but 
our next trip was of a more exciting nature; we were to be remind- 
ed that we were soldiers, and that our business was of a more 
serious nature. As you doubtless remember our Regiment was 
put aboard four passenger coaches at Louisville, and attached 
to the rear end of a long train of freight cars that was filled 
with new troops. As 1 remember it, our train pulled out of 
the depot a little after dark and all went well until at or near mid- 
night when those of us that were uwake were aware of the fact 
that something was wrong for the tram came to a sudden stop 
near Mumfordsville Ky., and after detaching the passenger 
coaches, pulled out and left us standing on the track; but the 
worst was to come, for it seems that the engineer running at full 
speed around the curves that are so frequent in roads running 
through a rolling country had broken the train in several places, 
the last two coaches running independently by themselves, and 
the rear coach, which was filled by the officers of the regiment, 
jumped the track and rolled down an embankment of quite a 



THIETY-SEVBNTH EEGIMENT, O. Y. V, I. 47 

heighth and in which our regimental clerk, E. Butter, was killed 
and a number of the officers were more or less severely h urt. The 
second last coach kept the track and ran down grade at a high 
rate of speed and as it struck the cars left standing on the 
ti'ack, it made a complete wreck of all and quite a number ol 
boys were severely hurt. 

The next day we were brought to Nashville by a special 
train without further incident; from Nashville we went to 
Chattanooga, where we arrived {^if memory serves me right) 
about May 3rd or 4th and where we were newly equip- 
ped with Springfield rifles and marched within a few days to 
the field of action. 

Our first encounter with Johnny Eeb was at Resacca, Ga., 
May 13th, and our regiment was for the most part of that day 
and until the 16th, in line of battle. On that day we fought the 
battle of Resacca and Company G lost their Captain, who was 
so severely wounded on the skirmish line that he died the fol- 
lowing day. 

Next came Dallas. May 25th where our part was not quite 
so dangerous, as our regiment was in the supporting column 
and happily for us, our line was not called on. 

June Ist found us at or near New Hope Church, at which 
place we were also in the supporting line and where some of 
us witnessed the shot fired from one of our batteries that killed 
the rebel General Polk, for I distinctly remember that a num- 
ber of us boys were lying on the ground near a battery when 
General Sherman came along, field glass in hand, taking a view of 
the situation and after looking intently for several minutes in 
one direction he inquired if there was a battery near and when 
an officer of the battery reported to him, Sherman asked him 
to look in the direction indicated, saying that he saw a recon- 
noitering party, and directed him to load one of his peices with 
shell and fire. This shot, as was afterwards ascertained, killed 
the Reverend General Polk of the rebel army. 

From this time until June 17th, when we were at Big Shanty 
the regiment was constantly at the front, engaged in picket duty, 



48 THIRTY SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

and frequently in short sharp skirmishes. From June 18th to 
29th we were in front of Kennesaw Mountain and on 
the 27th of June we were in the general assult that was made 
on the rebel stronghold, and many of you doubtless remember 
with what misgivings and doubt we went into this assult, for 
to me it seemed impossible to successfully storm the mountain, 
for a force of one thousand men could easily hold it against ten 
thousand. 

June 30th we were on the move again, for it was found 
that the rebels had abandoned their position on the mountain 
caused by our army coming on their flank, and after one or two 
days march, we came to the Chattahoche river, which we cross- 
ed during a heavy rain and thunder storm, going into camp 
late in the afternoon, on what I should term the south shore of 
the Chattahoche. From this place we marched still further to 
the Jeft, in the direction of Stone Mountain and many of the 
boys thought that we were to make another assult on a moun- 
tain but our fears were soon quieted, for instead of attacking rebel 
soldiers on Stone Mountain we were ordered to attack a rebel 
rail road known, I believe, as the Atlanta & West Point rail 
road. Many of you doubtless remember how diligently we 
went to work to destroy the road, tearing up the track, build- 
ing fires and heating the rails in the center and then twisting 
them into all kinds of shapes, in many cases twisting the rail 
around small saplings and leaving them in that position, (I 
will here say that in 1880 I had occasion to travel this 
road from Montgomery, Alabama, to Atlanta, Ga., when I saw 
quite a number of the rails still in that position.) From this place 
(Stone Mountain) we mached in the direction of Decator, Ga. 
but soon swung around further to the left, leaving Decatur in 
our rear and as you doubtless remember, encountered the 
rebels in strong position, some three to four miles from Atlanta, 
but General Sherman was at hie old tricks again and pressed 
them upon their flanks, forcing them to retreat, for on the 
morning of July 22nd, it soon became known that the rebels in 
our front were gone and we were early on the move to follow 



THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, 0. V. V. I. 49 



them, but as we came to their abandoned line of works, it be- 
came evident that our further advance would be disputed. Our 
regiment's position was in the front of a 2^ story brick-house 
that stood about two hundred yards to the right of the Decatur & 
Atlanta rail road, and from twelve to fifteen feet back of the 
breastworks. Of this house, it was said that some enthusiastic 
rebel, (I have forgotten the name,) was building when the war 
broke out, that he should have said to his workmen, that they 
would first go and whip the Yankees and then come back and 
finish the house. (I will say here that the house was never fin- 
ished.) But to resume my story, General Morgan L; Smith, our 
Division Commander, had his headquarters at this house, and 
much of the conversation between staff-officers was overhead by 
us. I remember that Major Hipp, who was in command of the 
regiment at the time, made suggestions to General Smith about 
barricading the rail road, and burning a collection of houses, 
and outbuildings that stood to the left oblique in our front. But 
General Smith would not have it, saying that the buildings 
would come handy for hospital use, and to barricade the rail 
road would be labor lost, as he was confident that we would 
take dinner in Atlanta; but we were doomed to disappoint- 
ment, the dinner that General Smith promised us that day was 
not realized until the first of September. 

It must have been near 2 P. M. when we could see that the 
rebels were making active preparations for an attack, when 
Major Hipp asked for volunteers to go into the brick house 
as sharp-shooters, some twelve or fifteen of our boys responded, 
being mostly from Company C and G, I being among the num- 
ber. Upon reaching the upper story of the house we immediate- 
ly distributed in the different rooms and began to break holes 
through the walls to enable us to fire upon the rebels as they 
advanced, and none to soon, for we had hardly made our port- 
holes of sufficient size to enable us to see and fire through when 
the rebels advanced in solid columns, but by the steady fire 
poured into them, they were forced to retreat. I will say that 
I have always been of the opinion that if General Smith had 

[71 



50 THIKTY SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

heeded our Major's suggestions, that our Division would have 
been spared the humiliation of being driven out of their works, 
something that had never happened to them before. It seems 
that the rebels only retreated far enough to come under shelter 
of the houses before mentioned and from there marched onto 
the rail road track and also a wagon road running parallel 
with the rail road, and there being a deep cut in both w© could 
neither see or hurt them and I am confident that if a battery 
with proper support had been stationed at these roads the rebels 
never could have broken our line, but as there was neither 
a battery or infantry there, the rebels had an easy task of it, 
for they marched through our line with right shoulder arms 
and opened fire on our line at right angles and with such tell- 
ing effect that our line soon gave way and the rebels again oc- 
cupied their works. It was in this engagement that I had the 
most thrilling experience of any battle that I was ever engag- 
ed in during my whole service, for we in the house were in 
blissful ignorance of what was going on below. We had been 
ordered to keep a sharp lookout in our front, and the house 
not having any openings in the sides towards the rail road we 
could not see what was going on on our left and I presume 
those of you who were there were too busy just then to pay 
any attention to us; in fact you might not have known that we 
were in the house, but we were there and as we thought were 
doing our duty in watching our front ready to fire on the first 
rebel who would dare to show himself. We of course expected 
that if they would make another attack they would make it in 
the same direction as the first one, but as from 15 to 20 minutes 
went by and no rebels in sight we supposed the fight was over 
when all at once we heard firing on our left but as it only last- 
ed a few minutes. We paid very little attention to it, never 
dreaming that we were in danger, or that our line could be 
broken, but after several minutes we became uneasy, we want- 
ed to see what our boys below were doing, so one of the boys in 
the room I was in leaned out of the window, in order to see 
the works below, when to his horror he discovead that our boys 



THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMBNT, 0. V. V, I. 51 

were gone and the works full of rebels. Upon learning this 
fact we hurried down stairs as fast as we could, but upon reach- 
ing the 2nd floor we found that the rebel soldiers were already 
in the house and some of them had started to come up stairs. 
Here was a dilemma; to stay in the house meant certain capture 
and perhaps many months in rebel prisons and to jump from 
the 2ud story window there would be but a very slim chance 
to escape, for we did not know but what the rebels were already 
watching every window in the house; but there was no time 
to investigate^ if we were going to try to escape we must act, 
so I with perhaps a half dozen more, made a break from the 
windows and jumped down, not knowing but what the rebels 
were to take us in. The house as I remember it had five windows 
on the side we jumped out, and I chose the center window, I 
being in the lead of two more boys of my company. I will state 
here that when we went to work in the morning to change 
front to the rebel works, our Eegiment unslung knapsacks and 
pilled them up in the rear of the house and I jumj^ing out of 
the window came down upon a large pile of knap-sacks, which 
of course broke my fall but sent me sprawling on the ground 
and as I rose to my feet there were several rebels standing at 
the corner of the house to my right who commanded me to halt 
but without taking a second thought I started on a dead run 
and think better time was never made than I made in that run 
of perhaps four hundred to five hundred yards. After running 
this distance, I overtook a small squad of our boys and no rebels 
being in sight we started to where one of the boys said our 
regiment was, but we had only gone about a hundred yards 
when General Logan came riding along ordering us to stay 
where we were and in less time than it takes me to tell it he 
had gathered from 1200 to 1500 men from I should saj^ at least 
a half dozen regiments. After forming this mixed force into 
line and making a short speech we went forward again with a 
will, charging our lost position, coming out the woods a little 
to the left of the brick house and capturing a number of priso- 
ners. Our regiment was in this position until July 25th, when 



52 THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

we started on the march again, this time going to to the right 
wing of Sherman's army. 

I well remember how, on the night of July 27th, at I should 
say, 7 or 8 o'clock, we were halted and told that we would stay 
long enough to cook our supper, but as soon as we had our fires 
nicely started and before our coffee came to a boil the rebels 
commenced shelling us from Fort Walker and so accurate was 
their fire that we had to abandon our coffee cooking and start 
on the march again without our suppers. At or near midnight 
we finally went into camp, from where we again started early 
in the morning of the 28th, on which day the regiment was in 
the battle known as Ezra Chapel where our honored President 
and Comrade, Major Hipp, lost his left arm and where I lost 
my friend and bunk-mate, Henry Linneman, who was so sev- 
erely wounded that he died within a fiewdays. The battle of Ezra 
Chapel deserves more than a mere mention. Our regiment 
was on the extreme right and became engaged with the enemy 
at about 10 A. M. Some three or four companies of our regiment 
were sent out on the skirmish line, the Major, our commander, 
remaining at his post with the regiment. Our skirmishers soon 
found that the rebels were too niimerous for them, for the rebel 
left extended quite a distance beyond our right and coming at 
them from both front and flank forced them to fall back to our 
main line. Just at this moment when everything was confusion 
our Major was wounded and was seen fialling off his horse, and 
but for the brave act of our color-bearer, Comrade Ernst Torgler, 
would have been captured by the rebels, for the rebles were 
now charging our main line and for the time being it had to fall 
back; but happily for us reenforcements were at hand, extending 
our right so that we soon not only regained our position but 
forced the i*ebels to retreat for some distance. 

From July 29th to Aug. 28th, the regiment lay in the trenches 
in front of Atlanta doing picket duty and such other duties as 
falls to a soldiers lot, having more or less killed and wounded 
every day. I remember of an incident that happened the latter 
part of August; the Comrades doubtless remember that a little 



THIHTY-SEVENTH EBGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 53 



to the right in our rear there was quite a ravine that we took 
when going after water and wood, knowing just where to go to 
be out of harms way; well, early one morning a regiment of 
Zouaves was being moved from the left to our right, and as the 
colonel came to this ravine, some of our boys said to him that 
he was on dangerous ground and that he had better take his 
regiment up the ravine, but he thought he knew what he was 
doing and kept his line of march but soon found to his sorrow 
that he would have done better to have heeded our advice, for 
as the rebels opened out on the regiment with shot and shell 
the colonel and his staff unceremoniously dismounted and footed 
it with the soldiers on the double-quick to cross the danger spot, 
which was a distance of about three to four hundred yards, and 
many were the shouts that went up trom our regiment seeing 
the boys run. I remember a particularly small soldier who 
turned a complete somersalt caused by a cannon-ball. 

About August 28th General Sherman made his last grand 
move for capturing the city. Our company or the most of it was 
on picket,, when towards evening our picket force was doubled 
and the moving of troops began; a part of the army was sent 
to the rear re-crossing the Chattahooche river and the balance 
of the army, the 14th, 15th and 17th army corps started south- 
ward. Our picket line had orders to stay and keep up appearances, 
just as long as possible, which we did until near midnight when by 
the force the rebels sent to find out if possible what theyankees 
were doing, we were forced to retreat, marching all night long 
until near morning of the 29th, when we caught up with the 
regiment, but we got no rest for Sherman was in a hurry and 
the regiment was on the march all that day until late at night. 
The next day, August 30th we struck Johnny Keb again about 
ten to twelve miles west of Jonesboro, and the regiment was 
in line of battle all day, steadily driving them back until within 
about one and half miles from Jonesboro, where they had a 
strong line of entrenchments; we made our last move forward 
after dark where we lay on our arms for the night. The next 
morning with day-break we were up and commenced building 



54 THIKTY-SEVEKTH REGIMENT, 0. T, T. I. 

breast-works which we completed at or near noon, for I re- 
member that Fredk Brucksieker and myself were just through 
with our dinner, a part of which we foraged between the lines, 
when the rebels brought a train load of soldiers out of Atlanta 
and as the train stopped in full view of our line, I being among 
the curious ones that wanted to see everything that was going 
on and stepping partly on top of our works in order to see bet- 
ter, I was struck with a rebel bullet that sent me to the rear for 
four months, but I had the satisfaction of knowing that Atlanta 
was ours and that the back bone of the rebellion was broke. 

Thanking the Comrades and all present for their kind atten- 
tion, 1 will add that losses the regiment sustained in this nearly 
five months campaign from Eesaca to Jonesboro, in killed, woun d- 
ed and prisoners was nearly 100 men out of a total of about 400 
that started in at the commencement of the campaign. 

Song — "Marching Through Georgia." 

tiviiirtette. 

MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA. 

Bring the good old bugle, boys ! we'll sing another song- 
Sing it with that spirit that will start the world along — 
Sing it as we used to sing it fifty thousand strong, 

Willie we were marching through (Jeorgia. 

Chorus — "Hurrah ! hurrah ! we bring the Jubilee! 

Hurrah ! hurrah ! the flag that makes you free !" 
So we sang the chorus from Atlanta to the sea, 
While we were marching through Georgia. 

How the darkies shouted when they heard the joyful sound ! 
How the turkeys gobble which our commissary "found !" 
How the sweet potatoes even started from tlie ground, 
While we were marching through Georgia. 

Chorus — Hurrah ! hurrah ! etc. 

Yes, and there the Union men who wept with joyfull tears, 
When they saw the honored Hag that they had not seen for years; 
Hanlly could they be restrained froui l)reaking fortli in cheers, 
While we were marching through Georgia. 

Chorus — Hurrah ! hurrah ! etc- 

"Shernian's dashing Yankee boys will never reach the coast!" 
So the saucy rebels said, and 'twas a handsome boast; 



THIETY SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I, 55 



Had they not forgot, alas I to reckon with the host, 

While we were marching through Georgia. 

Chokus— Hurrah! hurrah! etc. 

So we made a thro ugh fare for Freedom ami her train. 
Sixty miles in latitude— three hundred to the main; 
Treason tied before us, for resistance was in vain, 

While we were marching through Georgia. 
Chorus— Hurrah ! hurrah ! etc. 

Address— " From Atlanta to the Sea." "Through 

the Carohnas to Washington and Home." 

Capt. Louis E. Lambert. 

Mr. President, Comrades and Friends, Ladies and Gentle- 
men: — 

I will not tell you all in detail, as it would take too long to 
do so. I will simply outline the balance of our service, com- 
mencing from the battle of Jonesboro, which, of all the many 
battles that were fought during the Atlanta campaign, has 
finally resulted in the capture of Atlanta. 

Jonesboro was entered by us on the 1st of September, 1864, 
and by night Atlanta was occupied. We persued the enemy 
as far as Lovejoy Station, at which place the rebel field hospi- 
tals showed part of the woi*k that we had done in this battle; 
piles of amputated limbs were laying there 10 feet high and 
thousands of poor Johnnies were suffering. From here we re- 
turned to East Point, September 7th, where we went into camp 
for a short rest. The rebel forces under General Hood were 
now moving to^vards our rear, where they tried to cut our E. K. 
communication and means of supplies. Their movements were 
however too well watched, and every attempt was gloriously 
repulsed. Forced marches were made over northern Georgia 
and Alabama, and the enemy's cavalry encountered near Gads- 
den, Alabama, on the Coosa Eiver. On the advance of our Bri- 
gade, in line of battle, the enemy retreated in such haste, that 
it was useless for infantry to attempt the pursuit. The regi- 
ment then returned to Euffins Station. The great march 
through Georgia to the Sea was at that time forming, and our 



56 THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

energetic commander, General W. T. Sherman, had ordered up 
to Atlanta all the troops that could be spared, leaving behind 
an army under General Thomas at Nashville, Tennessee, suffi- 
ciently strong to hold in check, and wind up the rebel forces 
under General Hood. 

On the 13th of November, 1864, our regiment marched in- 
to Atlanta to draw the necessary outfit for the long march, and 
on the 15th we started with the army, breaking off all commu- 
nications with the North, and our relatives and friends at home- 
Our grand army, which steadily moved forward, but never 
backward, with its great Chief, marched through the heart of 
the confederacy, and feared nothing. The route of our Eegi- 
ment passed over McDonough's Indian Springs, near which place 
we crossed the Ocmulgee Eiver, thence through the towns of 
Hillsboro and Clinton, where we performed in company with 
the 15th Michigan Infantry, valuable service in preventing the 
enemy's cavalry from crossing the road leading to Marion, in 
view of capturing and destroying one of our division trains at 
that time packed in the town of Clinton. Covering the rear of 
the division, we marched the following day toward Griswold, 
and having crossed the Georgia Cen. E. E.we passed through Ir- 
vinton. We crossed the Oconee Eiver on the 26th of November, 
and after marching through extensive swamps, arrived at Sum- 
mertown on the 30th. 

Continuing our line of march through the low SAvampy 
lands of Georgia, along the southern side of the Ogeechee Eiver, 
we crossed the Connouchee Eiver on the 9th of December. In 
marching through these swamps, it was not so pleasant as it is 
to move along on good solid road. Many miles of corduroy 
roads we were obliged to build, by cutting down the trees, in 
order to bring up our artillery and wagon trains, and often for 
weeks, we had not a dry stitch on our back, wading through 
creeks and rivers, sometime up to the neck, and raining day and 
night, and not a dry spot to lay down on, when we halted to rest 
a few hours at night. However we endured all hardships cheer- 
fully, we were determined to save our country. We then reach- 



THIETY-SBVBNTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 57 

ed the Savannah & Gulf E. E. of which we destroyed many miles. 
We had no use for railroads in that part of the country, 
and consequently they disappeared as far as our army could 
reach them. Bridges we found but very tew as the enemy 
had burned them, if they had time enough to do so; that how- 
ever would not prevent us from moving steadily forward. 
Where the rivers were too swift and too deep to wade through, 
we would swim across on horses or on mule back, or build pon- 
toon bridges in face of the enemy's fire. Eecrossing the Con- 
nouchee Eiver, we passed the Ogeechee and advanced to with- 
in nine miles of Savannah. 

We were now close to the sea coast, and hard fighting an- 
ticipated. Extensive rice fields are in this section of Georgia, 
which furnished us plenty of food for man and horse, aod re- 
placed the sweet potatoes, turkies and chickens, which often 
had greeted us during our march through Georgia. 

On the 13th of December our brigade was detailed to recross 
the Ogeechee Eiver at King's bridge, to advance on Fort Mc- 
Allister, and take that stronghold by storm. This Fort was 
supposed by the enemy impossible to be taken by assault, as it 
was strongly built, many obstructions in its front, and the en- 
tire grounds surrounding the Fort for a long distance over 
which we must pass, were planted with torpedoes. These tor- 
pedoes however we had partly removed by prisoners, which we 
captured in the act of planting them. The bugle was then 
sounded and the command, "forward, double time, march," and 
the solid lines moved forward, under the most fearful fire and 
impassable obstructions ; but there was no halt, until the Stars 
and Stripes were planted on top of the parapets and the Fort 
was ours. To be in possession of this Fort, was of the greatest 
importance to our army in carrying out General Sherman's 
great plans. 

We were now in connection with our fleet, and again in 
communication with the North, and we received mail from our 
relatives and friends at home who were anxious to learn of our 
whereabouts. And another dear old friend and companion, 

[81 



58 THIETY-SBVENTH EBGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

who we had missed for a long time, welcomed us hear : our 
good old pork and beans, and hard tack. After some days rest 
our division again marched to the Savannah & Gulf E. E. and 
comj)leted its destruction for many miles down into Florida. 

On our return to Savannah, we received orders to report 
at headquarters of the 15th Army Corps, to take part in the 
contemplated attack on Savannah. In the night however the 
enemy evacuated the city. We then went into bivouac, and oc- 
cupied our time in drilling and perfecting our equipments. 

Onthe 19th of January, 1865, the 37th Eegiment was ordered 
to march to Fort Thunderbolt, on the Savannah Eiver, where 
we embarked on gunboats for Beauford, South Carolina, which 
we reached on the 22nd. At this place the regiment went into 
camp and engaged in taking our division train out of the trans- 
ports then lying in port at Beaufort. On the 30th, the regiment 
escorted this train to Pocotalico, and from thence marched to 
McPhersonville, where we joined our division on the march 
through South and North Carolina. In South Carolina we 
found great bitterness against us, and the high rivers and flood- 
ed swamps also added to our hardships. On this march we 
crossed the Coosamatee, the Big and Little Combahee, the South 
and North Edisto Eivers, often wading through water up to the 
armpits, and in this way attacking the enemy in fortified posi- 
tions. 

When we reached the South Edisto Eiver which is broad 
and deep, we found the enemy strongly fortified onthe opposite 
side, and as usual the bridge burned; so of course they thought, 
here the Yanks cannot get hy, for on both sides of the road, and 
at least a mile in breadth along side of the river were thoee 
swamps, flooded by the high waters. They opened a heavy 
artillery fire upon us, and their infantry did the beet they could. 
But the Yanks thought different. We brought up some of our 
artillery on our side of the river, and fired away at them, and 
made them believe that we were really foolish enough to think 
that we couldn't drive them from there. In the meantime while 
our artillery kept up firing we waded through the water, cov- 



THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. Y. V. I, 59 

ered trom sight by trees and brush, about four miles below, 
where we crossed the river on horses and mules, on trees that 
we cut down, and any way we coirtd get across. This took over 
four hours, duriog which time we were continually in the water. 
On the opposite shore we formed into line, and marched quiet- 
ly up to the rear of the enemy, and when we reached the pro- 
per point, we stormed them from the rear. We took them so 
by surprise, that they thought the world was coming to an end; 
they di-opped their arms, and we capitured every one of them. 
From here we marched directly into Columbia, the Capitol of 
South Carolina, and after crossing the Congaree Eiver we biv- 
ouaced five miles south of Columbia. 

On the 16th of February, after an engagement with the 
enemy, we crossed the Saluda River 4 miles above Columbia, 
and entered the city on that day. We crossed the Broad River 
February 18th, and for two days were engaged in destroying 
the Columbia & Charleston R. R. On the 20th we continued 
our march, crossing the Wateree River and wading Lynch 
Creek, which had assumed the dimensions of a river, on the 
26th. At this point our regiment was compelled to halt until 
March 2nd to allow the balance of our division to come up; 
freshets having carried away some of our pontoon bridges, and 
retarded the march. On the 7th we entered Cheraw, S. C, and 
crossed the Great Pedee River. On the 8th we crossed the 
state line of North Carolina. After having passed the head 
waters of the Little Pedee, Lumber River and Little River, our 
regiment was ordered to escort General Howard's headquarters 
and pontoon train of the Army of the Tennessee on the extreme 
right, which we brought safely into Fayettsville, N, C, March 
11th. 

On the 14th we crossed Cape Fear River, our regiment 
marching on the road leading to Clinton, where we had an en- 
gagement with the enemy's Cavalry, On the 17th we reached 
Beaman's Crossroads, and our army drew up near Goldsboro, 
and on the 19th we participated in the battle of Bentonville, 
North Carolina, which was our last battle that we fought, al- 
though we did not then know that it was the last. 



60 THIRTY- SEVENTH EEGIMEKT, 0. V. V. 1. 

On the 24th of March we crossed the Neuse Eiver and 
went into camp two miles east of Goldsboro. Here we received 
the glorious news of Lee's surrender to General Grant. On 
the 18th day of April, 1865, the rebel General Johnston surrend- 
ered his entire army, and all remaining rebel armies, to General 
Sherman ; and now the war was over. Our joy was extremely 
great. 

Our army then marched over the battlefields of the eastern 
army, via Richmond, Va., to Washington, where our whole army 
passed in review before the President and his Cabinet. This 
was the grandest review, and the largest body of military ever 
assembled at one place in the United States. Thence we were 
transported by rail to Louisville Ky., where we expected to be 
mustered out. However there was more work for us in store. 
Maximilian, with the French army was still in Mexico, and it 
would not do for us to allow him to remain there. So our Bri- 
gade, the 2nd of the 2nd Division of the 15th Army Corps, (of 
which Corps we here on our left breast wear the badge, repre- 
senting the cartridge box with 40 rounds, which indicates that 
every soldier in the 15th Army Corps was always prepared to 
meet the enemy, with not less than 40 rounds of bullets,) was 
ordered south once more. 

On the 24th of June we embarked on steamboats, and float- 
ed down the the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, this time taking 
a pleasure tour through the country, where two years before 
we had been fighting our way. We steamed up the White River 
to Duvalls Bluffs, Ark., and thence transported by rail to Little 
Rock, Arkansas, where we arrived on the 4th of July. Here 
we awaited further development, and occupied our time in drill- 
ing and camp duties. We missed the sound of cannon and 
musket firing which had furnished our ears with their familiar 
music for four long years. 

On the 7th day of August we received orders to be mustered 
out and sent to our homes. This was glorious news for us, 
our duties had been performed in all details. The French army 
had withdrawn from Mexico, and now we could be spared. 



THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. Y, I. 6l 

Peace prevailed all over our country, and we then started home- 
ward. 

Oar regiment was sent to Cleveland, Ohio, whei-e it was 
organized on the 3rd of August, 1861, and discharged on the 
2l8t of August 1865. All comrades bid farewell to each other 
and returned to their firesides to once more enjoy a rest under 
shelter and roof. 

We enrolled 1133 healthy and stout patriots in our regi- 
ment and we came home with 189 men, of whom many were 
perforated by bullets. 

In conclusion I will say: that, during the four years service 
our regiment had operated in the confederate states of West and 
East Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Miss- 
issippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South and North Carolina, 
every reble state excepting Missouri and Texas, and I feel proud 
of having served and fought with the 37th Regiment, Ohio Vet- 
ran Volunteer Infantry, and having had an opportunity to 
serve my country in the time of need, as a relic of which, I 
with many of my comrades, bear the scars of wounds received 
on the field of battle. 

Song — " Tramp, Tramp, Tramp." 

Soprano 80I0 and Chorus. 

Miss Abbie Smith. 

TRAMP! TRAMP! TRAMP! 

In the prison-cell I sit 

Thinking, mother dear, of you, 
And our bright and liappy home so far away ; 

And the tears they till my eyes. 

Spite of all that I can do, 
Tho' I try to cheer my comrades and be gay. 

Chorus— Tramp, tramp, tramp ! the boys are marching 
Cheer up comrades they will come, 
And beneath the starry tiag, 
We shall breathe the air again. 
Of the free-laud in our own beloved liouie. 



62 THIETY-SBYEKTH EEGIMBNT, O. T. V. 1. 

In the battle-front we stood, 

When their fierces charge they made, 

And they swept us off a hundred men or more ; 
But, before we reached their lines, 
They were beaten back dismayed, 

And we heard the cry of victory, o'er and o'er. 

Chorus — Tramp, &c. 

So, within the prison-cell. 

We are waiting for the day 
That shall come to open wide the iron door 

And the hollow eye grows bright. 

And the poor heart almost gay. 
As we think of seeing home and friends once more. 

Chorus — Tramp, &c. 

Music — Medley 
The Little Six Band, 

This closed the entertainment for the evening. 
The regiment formed, and, headed by the band, 
marched to the Dieker House, where arrangements 
were made for the 

BANQUET. 

The dining room and adjoining halls were pre- 
pared to seat all the Comrades at once. The tables 
were tastefully decorated, and an elegant and sub- 
stantial repast awaited the veterans, as is shown by 
the following 

SCHNABEL-WEIDE. 



J. 


W. 


Keuthan, F'oragkr. 




OYSTERS. 




Raw. 




FISH. 


Stewed. 


Jlack Bass, 


Butter Sauce, 


with Parsley. 






8«L,ID ORITB. 






ROaSTS. 






Beef. 


Turkey. 



Spanferkel. Beef. Turkey. Chicken 



THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT. O. V. V. I. 



63 



Herring. 



COLD MEATS. 
Ham. Beef Tongue. Boast Veal. 

POTATOES. 
In Uniform and Mashed. 

CHINESE EGGS. 

SALADS, 
t'liiclien. Potato. Celery. 

Tomatoes, Beets, Pickles, Etc. 



Slaw. 



Grapes. 



FRUITS. 
Peaches. Oranges. Bananas. 

Nuts. Cake. Ice Cream. Candy. 



CHEESE. 

Fromniage de Brie. 

Hot Tea. Coffee. 

Wine— Delaware. 



Swi«s. 

Iced Tea. 
Cigars. 



After the first assault on the tables had been 
successfully made, volunteer songs and addresses 
were in order, interspersed with music by the Little 
Six Band, and concluding in the early hours of the 
dawning morning with a march to the different quar- 
ters of the guests, and seranades by the band. 

The following toasts had been arranged for the 
banquet, but owing to the absence of some, and the 
late hours, they were dispensed with : 

" Princeton, W, Virginia," — David Fritz. 

" Fayetteville," — John Mollenkopp. 

" Retreat to Pomeroy,"— Dr. L. S. J. Gessner. 

" The Charge of the Suttler's Brigade,"— Carl Lenk. 

" Charleston, W. Virginia," — Andrew Kohler. 

" Recruits of '62,"— W. H. Birkenhauer. 

" The Army Mule," — Theo. Voges. 

" In the Assault on Vicksburgh," — Christ, Schnell. 

" Resecca," — Gustave Lambert. 

'• Kenesaw Mountain," — George Weber. 

" How I Captured Atlanta,"— Dr. A. Billhardt. 



64 THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

At lo A. M., September nth, the members of the 
Regiment met at the Town Hall for the transaction 
of business. The roll of members were called, and 
the following answered to their names : 

Aberle, Joseph, Co. G Stryker. Ohio 

Altenberger, Joseph, Co. F Upper .Sandusky, Ohio 

Aue, Christ, Co. C and wife New Bremen, Ohio 

Bastel, Jacob, Co. F Upper Sandusky, Ohio 

Beck, William, Co. K Toledo, Ohio 

Behm, Fred, Co. C St. Marys, Ohio 

Billhardt, Dr. Adolph W., Asst. Surgeon and wife; Upper Sandusky, O 

Birkenhauer, W. H. Co K Toledo, Ohio 

Bodenmiller, George, Co. B Toledo, Ohio 

Bonner, Nic, Co. K and wife Hamilton, Ohio 

Brodberk, Math, Co. C and wife St. Marys, Ohio 

Buchhotz, Fred, Co. C and wife St. Marys, Ohio 

Dickmann, Fritz, Co. C New Bremen, Ohio 

Da'hring, Henry, Co. C Buckland, Ohio 

Ehlen, John, Co. C Piqua, Ohio 

Finke, Henry, Lieut., Co. C New Bremen, Ohio 

Fischer, John, Co. K and wife Hamilton, Ohio 

Flath, Philip, Co. F Lima, Ohio 

Friedrickfe, Anton, Co. C and wife Minster, Ohio 

Gerding, Bernhard. Co. I Glandorf, Ohio 

Gerster, Henry, Co. K Blanchard, Ohio 

Hemann, H. H., Co. C Lima, Ohio 

Heusch, Fred, Co. C and wife St. Marys, Ohio 

Hipp, Charles, Major and wife St. Marys, Ohio 

Htervischer, Wm , Co. C and wife New Bremen, Ohio 

Huber, Andrews, Lieut., Co. K Hamilton, Ohio 

Hummel, Fritz, Co. H and daughter Wapakoneta, Ohio 

Kiefer, John, Co. C Wapakoneta, Ohio 

Kiefer, Nic, Co. C Wapakoneta, Ohio 

Kohler, Andrew, Co. C and wife Wapakoneta, Ohio 

Kolter, Fritz, Co. K and wife Wapakoneta, Ohio 

Kopf, Michael, Co. C Le Moyne, Ohio 

Kountz, John S., Co. G Toledo, Ohio 

Krebs, Frank, Co. K and wife Hamilton, Ohio 

Krueger, Louis, Co. B Toledo, Ohio 

Krumm, Fred, Lieut., Co. D Columbus, Ohio 



THmTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 65 

Lambert, Louis E., Capt., Co. G and wife St. Marys, Ohio 

Melcher, John, Co. H Peru, Ind. 

Moser, Henry and wife Wapakoneta, Ohio 

Nellis, Louis, Co. G Toledo, Ohio 

Nohl, John A, Co. K Carey, Ohio 

^ Pape, Wm., Co. F New Bremen, Ohio 

Prange, Chas., Co. C wife and daughter St. Marys, Ohio 

Puck, J. H., Co. G and wife Toledo, Ohio 

Roettger, Fritz, Co. C New Bremen, Ohio 

Rosengarten, John, Co. F Cranberry Prairie, Ohio 

Sanzenbach, D. Co. B Toledo, Ohio 

Sanzenbach, John, Co. B Toledo, Ohio 

Schaefer, Henry, Co. C wife and daughter New Bremen, Ohio 

Scherer, George, Co. G Toledo, Ohio 

Schmidt, Henry, Capt , Co. C and wife Wapakoneta, Ohio 

Schneider, John, Co. C Wapakoneta, Ohio 

Sehuette, J. B. Co. C Larkington, Ohio 

Schulenberg, Ben, Co. G New Bremen, Ohio 

Schulenberg, Henry, Co. C and wife St. Marys, Ohio 

Schulenberg, William, Co. C and wife New Bremen, Ohio 

Stelzer, Christ, Co. K Columbus, Ohio 

Tellmann, Fred, Co. C and wife New Bremen, Ohio 

Thiemann, Wm., Co. C New Breman, Ohio 

Torgler, Ernst, Co. G and wife Toledo, Ohio 

Wagner, Peter, Co. C wife and daughter New Bremen, Ohio 

Weber, George, Co. K Hamilton, Ohio 

Weber, John, Co. K Toledo, Ohio 

Weber, Valentine, Co. B Toledo, Ohio 

Weiler, Jacob, Co. C Wapakoneta, Ohio 

Wieser, Henry, Co. C !St. Marys, Ohio 

Young, John, Co. G Toledo, Ohio 

INVITED GUESTS. 

Dieker, Fred and wife St. Marys, Ohio 

Felz, Lorenz Wapakoneta, Ohio 

Gross, Hon. E. F. Mayor St. Marys, Ohio 

Herzing, Albert St. Marys, Ohio 

Hollings worth, J. J. 11 0. V. C St. Marys, Ohio 

Irving, Mrs. Elizabeth Mansfield Toledo, Ohio 

Krein, Frank, Mo. Vol. Inf St. Louis. Mo. 

Mott, S. R., Col. 118th. 0. V. I St. Marys, Ohio 

[91 



66 THIETT-SBYENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 



Romeis, John C. and wife Toledo, Ohio 

Tschudi, Wm., 28th O. V. I. and wife New Bremen, Ohio 

VonSeggern, Christ and wife Cincinnati, Ohio 

Wintzer, Chas. and wife Wapakoneta, Ohio 

Wittmann, Jacob Dayton, Ohio 

Letters of acknowledgement, regret, &c., were 
received from the following members : 

Baerhold, Fred, Co. A Cleveland, Onio 

Bruesholz, Joseph, Co. K Brownston, Ind. 

Eppenauer, Anton, Co. E Nevada, Mo. 

Gessner, Dr. L. S. J., Asst. Surgeon Fremont, Ohio 

Gotterdam, Casper, Co. D Columbus, Ohio 

Jones, Gen. Wells S, Brigade Commander "Waverly, Ohio 

Kramer Valentine, Co. E Chillicothe, Ohio 

Kropf, Rudolph J. Co. D Chicago, 111- 

Kuenzelmann, Jacob, Co. E Chillicothe, Ohio 

Lemley, G., Co. I Youngstown, Ohio 

Lenk, Carl, Sutler Toledo, Ohio 

Liebemann, Mrs. Anna, widow of Fred Liebemann, Co. A, Lindsey, Ohio 

Mollenkopf, John, Co. G Maumee, Ohio 

Moritz, Carl, Capt., Co. B Tracey City, Tenn. 

Nieberg, Theo., Lieut., Co. C Columbus, Ind. 

Phillippar, Fred, Co. G Chesterfield, Ohio 

Reiter, Wm., Co. C Linnville, Iowa 

Renninger, Louis, Co. H Stetson, Mich. 

Ringler, Dr. E., Surgeon Saginaw, Mich. 

Thoman, Hon. L. D., Chicago, 111. 

Votteler, H. J., Lieut., Co. A Cleveland, Ohio 

Weber, George, Co. K St. Louis, Mo. 

Weste, Wm., Capt., Co. C • • •• • Nat. Mil. Home, Ohio 

Young, Gen., C. L Toledo, Ohio 

Zimmer, Chas., Co. E Chillicothe, Ohio 

On motion of J. H. Puck, the Regiment proceed- 
ed to elect officers to serve until the next meeting, 
and Major Charles Hipp and Capt. Louis E. Lam- 
bert were re-elected as President and Secretary, by 

acclamation. 

On motion, it was resolved that the proceedings 



THIKTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 67 

ot this Reunion be published in pamphlet form, and 
that each member present contribute towards the ex- 
pense thereof. 

Comrade J. S. Kountz moved that a vote of 
thanks be given to the local members of the Regi- 
ment. 

^ At the general request of the Regiment, Com- 
rade Birkenhauer read his address to the toast " The 
Recruits of '62," which was enthusiastically received, 
and ordered to be printed with the proceedings. 

Dr. A. Billhardt was also requested to furnish 
a copy of his address " How I Captured Atlanta," 
and John Melcher on "Prison Life at Anderson- 
ville," for publication. 

The Regiment then adjourned to meet again 
after dinner. 

Louis E. Lambert, Charles Hipp, 

Secretary. President. 

PIC-NIC. 

At I p. M. all members present with their wives 
and families, and accompanied by the Little Six Band, 
boarded the canal boat " Homer Meakham," under 
command of Comrade Fred. Behm, and started gaily 
for the St. Marys' Reservoir; afterwards took the 
woods tor a social Pic-nic, and inspected some of the 
many natural gas wells in the vicinity. 

Returning at sun-down, a procession was fornied, 
including all the ladies and children of the party, and 
preceeded by the band, marched to the G. A. R. 
Hall, the headquarters of the Regiment, where most 
of them bid each other farewell and returned to their 
homes. 

A few of the old guard mustered later in the 
evening for the 

KOMMERS, 

where the evening was passed with songs, stories and 



68 THIETY-SfiVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

reminiscences, such as old soldiers only can appreciate. 
„2lc^, tc^ bin fo mitbe" 

Song and Chorus. 



Stntitjort auf benSoaft: S)ie er[ten JRettuten be§ 37.(3. beut= 
fd^en 3iegtment§) O. 58. 11. bei bem SSanfett tca^renb ber 9teunion be§ 
genannten 9tegiment§ in ©t. Wtaxi)^ O. am 11. <Btp. 1889., uon SBm. §, 
SSirfenl^auer. 

®a§ 37, (3. beutfd)e 0()io Siegiment loar taunt ein Qatir xm g-elbe, ahi 
ba§feI6e [ic^ fc^on ueranla^t fiitilte, Siefrutirung^offijiere nac^ ^i^f^ 5" fcf)ic!en, 
um burcl) 3Imn:)erbung Don SRehuten, bie in Solge won (Defec^ten unb ©tvapajen 
ent[tanbenen Siicfen in ben 9ki()en be-3 SJegimenty raiebet auSjufiiHen. 

5)lit biefer 'ilJiiiiion betraut, tamen im ^Jtuguft 1862, Sieutenant ^o^. 
Sangenborfer unb Sorporal ®tetvi^ Sc^mtbt nod) Solebo, unb ba beibe alte be= 
tannte ^Infiebler ber Stabt roaren, i Iciber finb beibe and) fc^on Icingft juv Dht()e 
eingegangen,) fo gelang e§ i^nen balb mit ^iilfe anberer beiwovvagenben 2)eut= 
fc^en iBiirgev bev ©tabt, tuie j. 58. 'i^eier Senf, SSalentin 23iaun, ?tnbrea§ ©tep= 
^on, (bamalS S3rauereibefi^er) unb anberer, ca. 06 9te!ruten fiir t>a§i Oiegiment 
atisuioerben ; mand)e I)atten ftc^ ^tuar fd)on in ta^ 111. unb anbere 9tegimenter 
onroerben lafjen, n)eld)e jur felben Qtxt aufgemad)! tuurben, jeboc^ ba biefelben 
worjogen, einem beutfd)en 3tegimente an3uge^bren,n)urbe3^nen ber Uebertritt in 
ba§ 39. ge)"tattet. 3)ie fo angewovbenen JRefruten fotlten fobalb al§ moglic^ jum 
Stegimente gefdjicft raerben, ha lel^tere^S mit einigen anoerenOtegimentern in 3Seft 
SSirginta ftotionirt war, unb Don einer [tarten 3febenenmad)t gebrcingt, fic^ in 
einer fo fet)r unangene^meu Sage befanb. 

®er (Srfte, melc^er biefe Siefrutenlifte unter5eid}neten, roar ©rnft 
:3urglflr, fpater Sergeant unb 5-a()nentrager, roeld) lelUeve Stetlung berfelbe 
roa^renb einer langeren 3eit betleibete, ai§> irgenb ein anberer g-a^nentrciger be§ 
9?cgiment§. (5r roar e§, ber SKajor 4">ipp am 28 3"'i 1864, in ber 6d)Iac!^t bei 
Sltlanta, roo le^terer feinen 3[rm oerlor, worn blutigen ©d)Iac^tfelbe fd)leppte, 
feinen 9trm uerbanb, unb uieHeic^t beffen Seben rettete. 3Benn er audj Lifters 
§unger unb 3)urft lttt,unb ber j^a^nenftod iiber f einer §anb abgefc^offen rourbe, 
fc^ien boc^ fiir ilju teine ^lugel gegoffen geroefen ju fein, benn ju Snbe beS ^I'ries 
ge§ roar feine ^aut noc^ unoerle^t, unb er brad)te einen guten 9tp))etit ^u $aufe. 

®er 3 'D e i t e auf ber Sifte, roar ber nor einigen Qa^ren oerftorbcnen 
|)enn) St)rifjman, and) er aoancirte fpdter 5um Sergeant, Sommiffari) ©ergant, 
unb Orbcli) ©ergant, ber ebenfal(§ ben il'rieg biS ju ©nbe mitmadjte. 



THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I, 69 

StUe 'ilZamen Ijier ju nennen, bin id) ntd)t im Stanbe, benn e§ ift fc^on 
fo knge I)er, uiib ic^ I)a6e bte Xiamen ber meiften v>ergeffen, abet ben le^ten, bet 
biefe Stfte unterjetc^nete, tann id) nie oergefjen, e§ wax bev immer lufttge Sanger 
unb ^cieggbmber, Xatier ^aoerbufd), roelc^et geroi^ jebem im ^Regiment burc^ 
jeinen unuberiutnbt'c^en |)umor unb feine erftaunlic^e ®utf)evsig!eit befannt 
. iDurbe. 

Sn ber le^ten SSoc^e be§ 9Jionatg September 1862, fam bie Orber 
5um ©inriicfen in ba§ 3iegiment. ©tefelbe rourbe Bon aden roiUfommen ge= 
^ei^en, ba man be§ Diden $8ummeln§ miibe, fid) banad) fe()nte, jum ^Regiment 
ju fommen unb ®ien[te 5U t^un. 

©0 !am enblic^ bie Beit ber 3t6reife. ®ie Scene auf bent Union 
S3a()n§of, rao bie 9te!ruten Don it)ren g-teunben unb Sefannten Vlbfd)ieb not)men, 
roirb gejoife jebeni fo lange er lebt im (5)ebad)tnife bleiben. 5Sie fpciter bet)anptet 
wurbe, foften bie S^ranen einen S'Ufe ¥^ auf ^e»n 33oben be§ SSa^n^ofe^ gc= 
ffoffen fein. 

SSafjrfc^eintid) l^atten uiele bamal§ fd)on eine ?t^nung baoon, bafj fie 
fid) gegenfeitig jum le^ten mal gefet)en I)atten. ®ie atefruten loaren namtid) aUe 
junge Seute im 9(ltcr mn 20 bi§ 24 ^a^ren, unb mit StuSna^me eine§ ein^igen 
unDerbeirat^et. Siefer Se^tere t)atte fid) einen Sag uor ber ^tbreife toer^eiratfjet, 
um fid) feinen Sd)al^ 5U fid)ern, tt)at)renb atte Itbrigen iual)tfd)einac^ be§ SoIba= 
tenfprud)e§ eingebenft roaren: „(Sin anber Stobtc^en, ein anber SRdbc^en. 

Stl§ bie SReftuten auf bem abfat)renben ©fienba^nsuge faum 10 9Kei(en 
won ber .^eimat^ entfernt waren, unb ef)e nod) bie leljiten fid) bie 9tbfc^ieb§tbranen 
uon ben "!>lugen getvorfnet f)atten, ma(^te ber uniiberroinblidje §aberbufd), mit 
einem Sobler unb rao^lgefullter Slafc^e, (bie i^m ein gnter greunb alg 2tnben!en 
mitgab,) bie Dtunbe, inbem er bie (5JefeIIfd)aft mit folgenber 9(nfprad)e in ()eitere 
Stimnmng uerfelUe: „a3uabe, luenn niir ^um 9iegiment fumma, motle mer be 
9?ebel§ omol jeiga, roie mer fe jfammen!loppt, mer rooUe be ^riog glei 5U l£nb 

bam en. 

Spater fanb er au§, ba^ e§ nid)t fo fd)neQ ging al§ er bac^te. Seiber 
ift and) er, roie fo uiete anbere, uor etnigen ^a^ren jur „®rofeeu 9trmee" abge^^ 
gangen, unb ift e§ it)m nid)t me^r gegijnnt, an unferen fcbonen 9teunion§ X^eil 

ju ne()men. 

®er erfte 3tn^alt§pun!t unferer 9teife nad) bem 9?egiment luar in un= 
ferm Capitol, Solumbug, D^io, roofclbft bie ©inmufterung ftattfanb. ©a^ evfte 
fanfte(?)9^ad)tlager auf bem fteinenen Unterbett in bem i?apitoIgebaube, hai luuo 
[)ier geboten murbe,gab alten einen guten 58orgcfd)macf,iion ben un§ beuorftel)en= 
ben 93equemlid)teiten be§ SoIbatenIeben§, am fommenben 9Korgen fat) jeber ou3, 
aU ^atte er 33Iafen auf bem afiiden. 



70 THIETY-SEVBNTH EEGIMENT, O. V. Y. I. 



3Soti ^iet ging bk S-a^rt toeiter nad) etncinnati. |)let rourbe un§ 
„u6er bem 9i6ein" ein me^r einen 58tet)ftaII al§ etner menfd)Iid)en SSofinung 
a^nltcftes ©ebdube pm Ouartier angerotefen, in t»el^em roiv un§ balb genotfitgt 
fa^en, mit ©toden ^u beioaffnen, urn nid)t Don ben 9tatten aufgefreffen ,^u wtx-- 
ben. Urn ba§, Tlaa^ ber 3tnne^mlid)felt uoH ju macfien, rourben bie JRefruten 
burd) eine 'iBadje gejiuungen, im ^nnern be§ ®ebaube§ ju bleiben. |)ier fublten 
iBir ^um er|ten mal, bafj miv unferer golbenen 5-vetf)eit abgefd)rooi-en flatten. 

58on ©incmnatt gtng bie Steife nad) ©aUipoli?, D[)io, in befjen Mf)e, 
er^altenen^Zadinc^ten ^ufolgejid) bas. ^Regiment au§ 2Beft SSirginia surudgcjogen 
t)atte. 

®ie iloraiuanne luurbe namltd) in ©tncinnatt in einen regelmii^igen 
SSie^ barren (gattle Sar) gepadt, lelUerer eineni ^JJofi'agier^uge ongef^angt, unb 
jo wmben bie er[ten JRefruten beg 37. O^io Siegtment im ©taote D^io tt)ie Od)fen 
^erunitron^portirt. 

Gine fol^e 93eCyanbIung iDottte jeboc^ ben jungen, an ciuiliftrteg Seben 
geiuo()nten Dtefruten ni^t be^agen, unb gab of)ne SBeitereg SSeranlaffung ju 
^^^lanen fiir ©efertion. ^ni ^fu juurbe bie uorbere SSanb be§ Od&fenwagenS 
Sertviimnievt, einev bev SJefraten befeftigte eine 6d)nur an ben Soljen (Suppling 
^in) ber ben SBagcn mit bem ^afjagierjug Derbanb, bet bev ncidiften paffenben 
©efegen^eit wurbe ber 33oIjen in bie §6^e gesogen, ber 3ug braufte ba^in, unb 
bie Sfetvuten maren wieber freie 9Jtenfd)en. 2)od) bie grei^eit war uon lurjer 
S)auer; bev ^ugfuijrev entbedte feinen SSevluft, tom juviid, unb gegen ba?^ SSev-- 
fprec^en auf ber nac^ften Station anftdnbige Srangportation ju evl)alten, (iviaS 
bann aud) gefdiat)) evgaben fid) bie Stetvuten in ir)r <B6)\d\a\, unb fo ging bie 
^Weife luftig lueitev bi§ wiv ©allipoliS erveid)ten. 

©afelbft angefommen, murbe eine furje 9ta[t gemad)t, bie 9ve!ruten 
rourben Don ben 33iirgevn freunblid) be^anbelt, f)iev routbe jum le^ten male fiiv 
lange 3eit tiid)tig SBein getvuuten, foiuie gut gegefjen, unb at^bann marfd)tvten 
mir ab jum 9{egiment, me(d)es auf bev gegeniibertiegenben Seite be§ D(}io Stiuer, 
'!)ioint ^:)3Ieafant, 58irginia, ftationirt mor, root)in e§ fid), nac^ einem ermiibeten 
Wav\ci}, lion uber 200 33lei(en uon einev ftavfen 9?ebeaenmad)t uevfolgt, juviid- 
gejogen fjatte. 

2)a§ ©rftaunen ber 9lefruten beim 9CnbIid be§ SRegiment^ nac^ fo(d)en 
Strapa^en, lafet fic^ bIo§ benfen Don fold)en, bie bevartigeS fd)on gefe^en ^aben, 
ein jebev wax fog(eid) itbevjeugt, bog bie guten ^eiten biev nid)t ju i^aufe finb, 
unb ba aHe SJevgnitgungen btev aufgel)ort ^aben. 

e§ t)iefj ,M^b tad anb ©oubellt)" effen, ^affee ot)ne a}JiId) trinfen, 
unb bei biefer fet)v nabvbaften I'oft, jeben Stag 4 big 6 ©tunben ejevsieven. 

•iBeftanbig muvbe Don ben ©d}lad)tcn unb ©trapal^en er,^dty(t unb bie 



THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V, I. 71 

Otefruten naturlic^ al§ bumme ^ungenS betracl)tet, luag freilid) in niilitari{ci)er 
^infid)! and:) ber gaE wax. 

S)ie 66 5Re!niten wurben mit einigen'!?lu§na^men, ben ^'ompagnieS &. 
jinb M. juget^eilt, \>a ©omp. 65. in ben burd)gemQd)ten C^efedjten am meiften ge= 
litten ^Qtte, unb ©omp. ^. toon 3(nfang an nid)t nod war, |o ha)] Ie(5terc ben 
9?amen ^riippel (Sonip. fii|rte. S)nv^ bie erl)dtene SSerftartung rcnrben beibe 
Sompagnien in bliit)enben 3i'fta"f> geff&f- ""^ ^^r Sieiname ^riippel Sonip. won 
(Sonipanie ^. t)i.irte auf. ^n furjev 3eit \mt fein Unterjdiieb me^r sn)ifd)en ben 
alten ©olbaten unb ben 5Re!ruten roQl)r5unef)men, tuenn jeboi^ ^ie unb ia et»ua5 
Dovfam t»a§ ntd)t fein foUte, t)Qtte e§ immer ein 9ie!rut gct[)an, inenn aud) i-»or= 
fc^dft^^maljig ge^anbelt reurbe. 

?ruf le^tereS Sesug net)menb, ftnb mir jelber Srafle borgefommen, 
roo^on ic^ einige fo furj loie ini3glid) bemet!e, inbein i(^ aucb einer won ben 6(5 
9}efruten wax. 

?(!§ ©beinian*^ 9trmee gegeniiber 9?icf§burg, fpatev ©oung'^ ^oint 
gutannt, anfam, balte e§ fid) getroffen, bafe ba§ 37. Siegiment bie aufeere 'H&aiit 
fteben mufste, unb e§ fiigte fid),bQf5 id) einer berfelben roar. SSir jogen be§ SSov^ 
mittagS auf (^sicfet) dufeeie 3Bad)e, befamen Orber§, ntd)t ^olt ju rufen, fonbern 
afle^o, n)o§ fomntt ju fcbiefeen. 

<(l'aum ftanb idi eineStunbe auf nteinem^:isoften,aI§ ber nad)fte ^Noften, 
mld)tx auf ber Setoee ftanb, mic jurointte, ju itjm ju !ommen ; id) lief biniiber, 
unb 5U meinem (Srftaunen fat) id) jemanb, birett auf ber Seiiee auf un§ ju fom= 
men. 35Bir beriet^en, tDa§ ju tbun, unb einigten un§, Orber gemcife ju fd)ief5en. 
^cb nebme ibn auf'^ ^orn, mein eollege fd)ieBt in bie Suft, liiuft er bawon, 
fdjiefje id). lauft er nid)t bauon, fo laffen mir ibn fommen. 9iad)bem nun ber 
geinb na^e genug nmv, f^iefet mein (SoUege in bie Suft, ber ^erl mad)te einen 
fiird)terlid^en©prung in ben SSalb.unb id) fd)iefeenad),)me ,vuifd)enun§ ausgemadit 
mar. 

^aum maren bie 8cbiiffe gefatlen, fo mar fd)on ©berman'§ gan,^e 
?(rmee in ©d)lad)llinie, bie 4iauptmad)e !am, ging iioriDart-3, urn ben geinti auf= 
,^ufud)en, nub brad)te einen 'Jfigger, nad) bem mir gefdioffen batten, fonft mar 
nid)t^:j 3u finben. 9iadibem imube unfere iTrber toeviinbert: „.s>alt ^u rufen." 
28ir beibe murben am niidiften Worgen, nad)bem mir abgelLift maren, Hon Oberft 
©iber uevbort, unb iimrben mit ber 33emerfung abgcfpeift, er batte gleid) gebad)t, 
baf? e§ aktruten maren. 

^urje ,(]eit nad)ber mar id) auf Somp 3Bad)e im @oung'§ ^oint am 
eonufari) 3e(t, birett b'ut^'r bem ^eit imn €berft ©iber. (S§ batte furj lunber 
jiemtid) geregnet,unb fo maren uerfcbiebene 2BafferpfiiJ>en auf meiner a)tarfd)linie. 
3d) fanb e§ fiir unnijtbig beftanbig burcb biefe SBafferpfii^en ju geben, unb fe^te 



72 THIETY SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

nii^ auf eine unferer fleiner ^ononen (fogenannte ^ad 3I§§ SSattert)) melc^e 
neben bem (Jomifar^ ^tit ftanben. ^aum fi^e id) ba, al§ ber Dberft ©iber au§ 
feinem ^e't fommt, fte^t mid), unb fdjreit, bo^ man e§ ^mei 9)?eiien f)bren fonnte : 
„'^&l fenne teine Sd)i[bmQd)e bte fi^en tbut", „6orpovQl Don ber 5Sad)e." ®ie 
j^olge roar: 3<f) mu)?te mit 6acf unb ^arf auf meinem ^often bie nad)[te ©tunbe 
marfc^iren. 9Jie^rere cibnlid^e ©liicfc^en famen uor, unb natiirtic^ iuaren e§ 
immer roieber 9iefruten. 

2)en ®ang be§ 9tegiment§ ju befc^reiben, foroie beren S^aten, ge^ort 
f)ier nid^t jur ©ac^e; jebod) eine S^atfod^e mufe i(^ I)ier berfor^eben, ndmlid^ 
bo«, ba^ Don ber geit an, al§ bte 62er Kefruten, (fo rourben fie fpater genannt), 
in ba§ 9vegiment eingetreten roaren, baefelbe niemalS mebr riidroart§, 
jonbern immer norroartS ging, bi§ e§ in SSidSburg, S^attenooga, 
Sttlonta, ©awanaf) So lumbta, ©outb Carolina, 9ta lei gf), 9iovt^ 
©orolina, ^eter^burg unb JHic^monb 9Sa. unb julel3t in 'iJBafbington, 
nad) Seenbigung be§ 5lriege§ antam. £b biefe Sfiatfac^e ben 5lnfiif)rern ber 
?lrmee, ©eneral ©rant, ©German, Sogan u.j.ro. ober ben 62er 9tefruten be§ 37. 
5Regiment§ su^ufdjreiben i[t, roill id) bal)in gefteUt fein laffen. 

(Sin bemerten^roertber 33orfaII ereignete fid), roo bie 62er (roie bie 9ie= 
truten nun genannt rourben, inbem fd)on mebrmal feitbem bac^ Stegiment burd) 
aiefruten uerftarft rourbe,) bur^ eine erfreulid^e $8egiinftigung iibcrraf^t rourben. 

^m 5lpril 1864, nacb ber ©d)fac^t Hon Wiffion 9\ibge unb Soofout 
fountain, lag ba?- ^Regiment in Gleoelanb, Sen., fertig, um einen neuen '^•tib' 
jug ober ©ampagne mit anjutreten, al§ bie Orber fam: „?(ae ©olbaten bie 2 
Sabre gebient, fiinnen reejiiften unb befommen 30 Sage llrlaub, nebft $300 
93ounti), caff) auSbe^ablt. 

S)iefe-3 Hef^en fid) unjere 37er nicbt jroeimal fagen, benn alle febnten 
fid) roieber einmal bie .s^ieimati) ju feben. ^n furjer geit fatten atle bi^3 auf 
einjelne roenige reej.1ifteb, bas, ^Regiment ging anf llrlaub, unb ben H2er roelcbe 
nod) nicbt lange genug im Sienft roaren un; ju reejliften, rourbe ec^ bennod) ge= 
ftattet, mit bem Dfegimente fiir 30 Xage bie ^eirnat^ ju befud)en. 
! ®iefe ®unft rourbe freilid) oon ben «2er mit g-reuben aufgenommen, 

troH bem feiner bie Wittet befo^ bte 9teifefoften ^u beftreiten, inbem fd)Dn iiber 
io ^Jtonate fein Sab'tag ^vax; jebod) unfere liberalen 95eteranen, (mk biefelbe 
je^t genannt uierben,) bie ibre 33ounti) auSbejabIt befamen, liefeen un§ 62er nicbt 
fteden, fie borgten jeben fo oiel a(§ notbroenbig, (jt)eld)e§ a[Ie§ fpater juxiidbe: 
j^ablt rourbe) unb »er(ebtert bie JRefruten roieber einmal 30 fd)bne, roenn aucb 
regnerifcbe, Sage in ber J^eimatb. 

(Sine loeitere 33egiinftigung genoffen bie 02er am (Snbe be§ ^riege§, 
nadb ber grofeen ^arobe ber ©berman=9(rmee in SSafbington. Obgleic^ i^reS 



THIRTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I.. 73 

jcifjrtge Stenftjeit nod) nid)t gan^ ooriiber roar, rourben fte bennod) au§gemuftert, 
tuci^renb ba§ Stegiment nod) met)i-ere 9JJonate im S)ten[t bleiben mufjte, unb fo= 
gar nod) bi§ Sittle diod, Strfan[e§, tranSportlrt rourbe. 

Sei ber 9lu§mufterung ber 62er, roelc^e in eineut ^ornfe(b na()e ^afl)* 
tngton [tattfanb, ergab e§ fid), ba'^ Don ben 66 in EoIumbuS, £). eingemufterten 
9?efruten bloS nod) 28 iibrtg roaren, unb unter biefen 28 roaren fetir roenige, 
roefc^e nic^t eine 9Jorbe tion eincr ^ugel ober fonftige SSetrounbung baDongetra* 
gen fatten. 



dine (^tinnetuttg an ben %a^ bet 



3tm 3. 5(ugu[t 1889 er^ielt i6) »om |)errn SOkjor §ipp eine t)erbinblid)e 
(£in(abung jur 9. Steunion be§ 37. 5Regiment§ D. SS. ^nf., bie in biefem ^a^re 
am 10. unb 11. September in ©t. 5Kari)§ abge^alten roerben fotlte. Bugleic^ 
rourbe an mid) bie 3lnforberung geftetlt, mein ©djerflein mit einem Srinffprucfte 
beijutragen, befjen SSortrag fiinf 9Jf inuten nid)t iiberfteigen biirfe. 

@§ roar ber gliid)Iid^e ©ebanfe unfer§ geegrten TOajorS, Dafj bei biefer 
©elegen^eit gebiegene ^luffahe, fic^ einanber anreibenb unb bie @eid)id)fe be§ 
9tegiment§ borfteHenb, oorgelefen roerben loUten. 3)ajroiid)en eingef(o(^ten 
tonnten unbebeutenbe perfDnnd)e ©rlebnifje, roo mi3gli(^ in ^umoriftifc^er 2Beife 
sum beften gegeben roerben. 

9Kein X^ema fei : 

3Bie id) am 22. ^uli 1864 Sttlanta eroberte. 

©olbatengemaji oer[prac^ ic^ ju ge^orc^en. ^dj fonnte ja nid)!;:' anber§; 
aug 3-urd)t ftanbrec^t(i(6 erfd)offen ju roerben, mufete id) einroitligen, obroo£)I id^ 
rair berouBt roar, ba^ ic^ etroa§ be^aupten follte, roaS ein roa()rl)eit§Iiebenber 
SKenfd) nic^t root)( fann, ot)ne befiirc^ten ju miiffen, ein fred)er Sugner genannt 
ju roerben. " 

®a bie ©reigniffe jeneS benfroiirbigen Jagey mir ^eute no^ lebbaft oor 
beu 'Jlugen fte^en, erac^tete ic^ al§ unnotI)ig, mid) auf eine hirje 2tbreffe Dorjube= 
reiten, fonbern uertraute auf bie momentare Segeifterung ober fpirituelle ®in= 
floBung bei [)ert)orgerufener 3SeinIaune,roa^renb be§ ©pred)en§ au§ bem Stegreife 
ba§ 3led)te ju treffen. 

^ene ^ataftropf)e, bie ic^ befprec^en follte, roar ja fo oerpngniBuoff fiir 

[101 



74 THIETY- SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. Y. I. 

intd^ gettjorben, ba^ nad^ beren SCbfdilufe au(i^ melnet tnilitarifc^en ©artierc cirt 
3iel gefe^t war. 

9?un ^ier ift bit fd^iii^terne Slnfptad^e, fo tneit td^ mt(!^ baran erinnere: 

^Prafibent, ®amen unb ^ameraben ! ^n elner SBeste^ung ift eS 
mir fe^r angene^m, bafe nur fiinf ?0iinuten jubtftlrt iourben, in benen idi ^S^nen 
•^u^einanberfe^en foil, icic id) an jenem 22. ^uli ?ttlanta eroberte. ^i) fprec^c 
' t)r gem unb fei^r ftiel unb fteQe fogat oft red)t fii^ne SBe^auptungen auf, jumal 
jenn mir SWemanb n)iberfpri(^t, aber JRebnertalent befi^e i(^ entfc^ieben ni^t, fo 
ba^ id) in ©egennjort eine§ fo erlauc^ten 5(ubitorium befiirc^te,abbrec6en ju miiffen, 
nocf) e§e fiinf ©efunben Oerftoffen ftnb. ^n einer anbern SBejiefjung fcf)eint mir 
ein furjer geitraum toon fiinf 9Kinuten firfier nid^t ^inldngli^, urn fo eine toeit* 
tragenbe Segeben^eit ju befc^reiben,oon ber felbft ba§ ©d^icffal ber 58er.Staaten 
ob^ing. 5(uf aHe gaOe wiinfc^e id) nid)t meine fcf)(icf)te ©r3at)Iung ben tielen 
fi(^ loiberf^jred^enben ©efc^i^t^merfen bom amerifanif(^en 9tebelIion§friege 1864 
— 1865 ^injujufiigen, ou§ SSeforgnifj bie SSerrairrung ju oergrbfeern. ^Ini waS 
ic^ an ienem eingelnfte^enben 2;age in ^ij^ft eigener ^erfon fal), ^brte unb fii^Iter 
foE l^ier oerfto^Ien berid)tet merben. SSenn id) alfo uid^t biefem meinem 3Sortrag 
^iftodf(^en SBert^ ober anfprud)§ooIIe S3ebeutung beijulegen miinfc^e, warne id^ 
bod^ bie 5lntt)efenben, ba^ 3iefultat toon 3(tlanta'§ ©inna^me, bie al§ meine §el= 
bent^at barjufteflen, mir auf fib^erem 93efeI)I in ben 2)tunb gelegt rourbe, nic^t gu 
unterfc^a|en. ^lux mu^ mon mid^ entfd^uibigen, bafi id) nid)t bie ftrategifd^en 
^unfte preiSgebe, toermittelft beren e§ mir gelang, al§ einer ber erften toon ©^er= 
man§ ?trmee in ber ^'Cfte ber Gonfbberation einjujieben. 9)?eine gelb^errnfiinfte 
fbnnten \a copirt unb im na^ften beutfcftfransbfifd)en ^riege, j.$8. bei ber ©robe* 
rung toon ^ariS, felbft toom f^elbmarf^all 9J?oItfe nad^a^menb benu^t werben. 

S)amit bie Wnnjefenben, bie nid)t bort roaren, bie Situation toon bamalg 
toerfte^en, miQ id) ^ier toorau^fd^idenb erjablen, wie loir iiber^aupt in bit 9?a^e 
toon 3tt{anta gefommen loaren. ®iefer ^la^ mar einer ber le^ten §altepun!te 
ber confoberirten ?(rmee; bi§ ba^in mar biefelbe juriicfgebrnngt ttjorben. yiad) 
toielem ftxapajiofen SJJarfc^iren toorioartS, riidroart§ unb feitioavt^, untetbrod)en 
toon einem gelegentlid)en ©d)armiil?el ober ber ©a^toifdienfunft einer blutigen 
©d^Iad^t, t)atten mir enblid> mit ben ©raurbden nbrblid) toom S^atta^ood)ee=5-Iu& 
gritnblid^ aufgeraumt unb folgten benfefben auf ben f^erfen bi§ in ba§, .'perj toon 
©eorgia. 

Sim 21. 3|ult ritdEten toir in einer langen ©d^lad^tlinie toon 2)ecatur toor 
unb trieben bie Dftebellen toon ©teinmauer gu Saufgraben, ^tuar langfam aber 
fid^er, fo bafe loir an jenem Sage nur 3 Tltikn meftlid^ in ber 9tic^tung toon 
Sltlanta toorbrangen. Unfer SfJegiment fpejiell loar mit ©eneral 9)?c'ip^erfon, an 
ber ©pi^e boranreitenb, ben SirailleurS auf bem f^ufee gefolgt. ^Serfuc^^roeife 



THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V, I. 75 



wurben etnige ^ugdtt Don S)e®ra§'§ SBatterie in bie ®egenb ber ©tobt abge» 
feuert, unb ber ^iel^junft tnar in ber Sfjat gliidlid) erreid)t ttjorben, toon bem id) 
mid) ju iiberjeugen am na^ften Sage ©elegenfjeil ()atte. 9tbenb§ legten lutr 
un§ ^in 3um ©^lafen, ttie fd)on fo oft jutoor, mit sufammengerafftem £aub fiir 
tiffen unb bem 6temenf)immet al§ ®ecfe. 

3lm frii^en SSJZorgen be§ 22. murben toir au§ fiifeen Straumen toom Sd^a^ 
ba^eim, unfanft aufgeruttelt. „Wuffte^en ! ®te aiebeQen ^aben fid) toon ben 
©d^anjen in ber gront auriidgejogen ! Wuf nai^ Sttlanta !" SBir na^men un§ 
nid)t einmal |^eit, ben iibUd)en 9}iorgen=^affee auf ^o^Ien toon naffein ^olj ju 
brauen, unb fo, ber ^rocebur ber ^od)tunft entt)oben, bie Slugen frei toon 9{aud), 
toaren mir jam Slufbrud) fd)nell geritftet. 

„§o, melc^e Suft ©olbat p fein!" 

©ofort erftiirmten mir ben feinbefreien ^yuqtl, beffen befeftigten §of)e^)unft 
tt)ir ebenfaHS geroumt fanben. ®ie 2;ruppen i)atten fii^ tt)a£)renb ber toorI)erge= 
^enben yia<i}t mirflid^ juritdgejogen, fo ba^ wit on jenem 9Korgen faftifc^ beren 
eigene ©tetlung einna^men, nur mit bem Unterfd)iebe, ba'^ i^re gftont ijfttid^, 
tt)at)renb bie unfrige rtjeftlt^ gerid)tet mar. 

SSir gratulirten un§ fc^on, ben f^Ieifc^topfen toon ^Itlonta fo toiel na^er 
geriidt ju fein ; boc^ um f c^lie^Ui^ baf)in ju gelangen, mufeten nod) einige ^ins 
bemiffe iibermunben toerben ; ba§ gro^te batoon mar ba^ (SorpS unter Sommanbo 
toon General ^arber, ha§i bie beften Sru^jpen ber conforberirten Wrmcc ent^ielt 
unb fic^ jmlfc^en un§ unb baS gelobte Sanb geftellt ^atte. 

Bum SSerftanbni^ ber geetirten Wnmefenben, benen oI§ TOd^tbet^eiligten 
bie ©efc^i^te ber ©d^Ia^t toon 5ttlanta entfoHen fein mag, mill i^ f)ier junac^ft 
bie 2:rup:|)en=5IuffteCung befd)reiben. 

©Sermon's Slrmee l)atte am 22. 3uli 1864 bo§ ftarfbefeftigte ^ttlonta, 
mo^in ftd^ ber geinb juriidgejogen ^atte, auf 3 ©eiten umringt, norbmeftlid), 
nbrbli(^ unb oftlii^. ^n einem §albtreife toon ungefa^r 10 5!}kilen, ftanb ©ene, 
rol %i)oma§> auf bem rec^ten, 9)?c^[)erfon auf bem linfen i^lnqd unb ©c^ofiel 
im ©entrum. ®a§ 17. 5lrmeecorp§ unter ©eneral SSIair roar im 5lufmarfd)tren 
nad^ bem aufeerften linfen ?^Iiigel begriffen. S)a§ 16. lrmeecorp§, commanbiit 
toon ©eneral S)obge, befanb fid) juerft jur unmittelbaren 3ted^ten beS 15. ©orp 
roar aber burd) bie SBorroart^beroegung ber ganjen Sinie, rooburd) ber fix 
enger gejogen rourbe, au§ berfelben etroa§ berauSgebrangt unb beorbert roorbei., 
einen Iinf§ unb fiibbftlid) toon ber 3tugufta=:S8a^rt gelegenen .^iigel, ber aU em 
ftrategifd) roic^tiger ^unft toom General Seggett bie 9?ad)t jutoor genommen ror 
ben roar, ftanb^aft ^u fatten. ©o fam i>a^ 16. SorpS faft Winter ba§ 17. -i 
ftef)en, toon bem e^ burd) ^oljtanb in einer S3reite toon etroa einer t)alben SDlt 
getrennt roar, llnfer 15. Gorp§ unter Sogan roar, lute id)on oben errofi^r 



76 THIHTY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

fubftontiell ber (Sifenbafin gefolgt, bie faft in meftltcfier 3tt(^tung nad) ?ltlanta 
fii^rte. Qm Siec^ten ftanb bie 1. ©iinfion (®eneral 3Boob§), unb ungefd[)t eine 
aJieile ajeiter ^nxM ©c^ofielb mit bent 23. 6orp§, ju golge befjen bie 2;ruppen= 
fette in norblid^er Sxi^tung Don un§ unterbrod}en tuar. llnfere 2. 33rigabe ber 
2. S)i»ifton bilbete bo§ ©entrum be§ 15. 9trmeecor:|)§ unb na^m eine ^jrominente 
©tellung ein. ®a§ 37. Oljio 9igt., ju bem meine 3Senig!eit ge^orte, Ie{)nte ftcf) 
jur Sinfen an bog 47. unb biefeg ttjieber bem 54. an, neben bem \xd) ein tiefer 
eifenba^n--®ut(^fcf)nitt befanb. 9te^t§ Don un§ mar Se®rafe'§ Satterie oufge= 
fa^ren, abgepro^t unb fertig jum geuern. Unmittelbar £)inter un§ ftanb ein 
SacEftein^auS unb ttor un§ ein meifeangeftricfteneS gromef)au§, umgeben Don 
©eftrijpp unb Sciumen auf medenformiger 33obenformation. 

9?ocl) meiter vox un§ lauerten bie ©onfoberirten un§ anjugreifen. 9Kit 
einem Sdjnapg in ber j^elbflafc^e unb gefteigerter SSernid^tungSmut^ njotlten fie 
un§ jmeifetfo? abid)Iacf)ten. Siefelben mufsten fic^ eben bie ©tra^e nad) bem 
Often, bie luiv bereit^ abgefperrt fatten, 5u ijffnen unb bie 58erbinbung§Iinie mit 
ber 33afi§ i^rer 3iiful)ren miebei fier^ufteden fud)en. Sfflxx fdjeint e§ je^t, al§ 
l^abc man un§ ©iinbenborfe bamal§ ba^in gelodt, mo man un§ gerabc fiaben 
mottte, mit ber ?lbfid)t, un§ beim erften '?(npraU DoKftcinbig ju anniC)iIiren. 3)ie 
Dom geinbe aufgemoifenen (Srbmerfe, bie if)m al§ Sedung gebient fatten, mur= 
ben fiir ung offenbore $8lofefteflung, ba bie Srufttue^ren Winter un§ unb bufd^igeS 
fd)(ud)ttge§ Xerrain, jum SSerfted einer ^Ingriff-J^Gotonne roie gefc^affen, fid) nor 
un# befanben. ®ie einfadjften 51>orfid)t§maferegeIn maren aufeer ?(d)t gelaffen 
morben. 5)o§ 9t.93.S. ber 5lrieg§miffenjd)aft )d)ien wergeffen ju fein, 9(nftatt 
'ipionieren ©djaufein in bie S^iiwiit ju geben, nnfere prefcire Sage ju Derbeffern, 
Dertdnbetten mir folbatifc^ Ieid)tfinnig bie toftbare Qdt. (Sinige fangen fogar — 
un\> \)a^ max mit ec^tem ®algen()umor : 

„9J?orgenrott)! Sliorgenrot^ ! 
Seuc^teft mir jum friif)en Sob ? 
SSalb mirb bie Srompete blafen, 
2)ann muj^ i^ mein Seben laffen, 
^c^ unb manri)er Samerab ! 

5?aum gebac^t, faum gebad)t, 
SSar ber Suft ein ^nb gemac^t ! 
©eftern nod) auf ftoljen 9toffen, 
fieute burc^ bie Sruft gefc^offen, 
9Jcorgen in i>a§i tii^Ie ®rab!" 

2Si '•'.; jpater belefirt murbe, maren tuo^I -^tuftolten jur aSertt)eibigung 



THIETY-SBVBNTH REGIMENT, O. V, V. I. 77 

getroffen roorben. "^d) max jeboc^ nic^t im ©tanbe, ba§ Stefultat toon metnem 
befc^ranften ©efic^tStretfe au§ ju entbeden. Sliir, bem t)inter bet Sinie 33eftnbs 
lichen fc^ien e§, al§ ob fein Spaten angerii^rt, feme ©d)o[Ie (Srbe aufgetoorfen, 
fein 93aum gefiiQt wurbe; ol§ roenn ratr un§ eben im SSeroufetfetn unfetev ©cf)Iag= 
fertigfeit unb ©c^ufeberettfc^aft ner^altniftmdfeig ftd^er fu()Iten. .^oc^ftenS rourbe 
eine Sivaitleurlinte au§gefcf)ic!t, lueil ba§ eben fo gebrfiuc^licl) roar. XroU an= 
fcf)eiuenber ©orglofigfeit beutete oUe§ bavauf ^in, bafe e§ etmaS geben wiirbe ; e§ 
lag fo ju fagen in ber Suft. 

28ie ic^ fd)on frii^er bet folci^en ©elegen^eiten get^an ^atte, orientirte id) 
micf) auf eigene i^auft in SBetreff unferer relatiuen ^ofilion, urn ju fe()en, wie 
man |ic^, roenn'g loirtlid) Io»gef)en fottte, geljbvig beden, unb im gaUe, bafe ber 
3(u§gang eine jdjiefe ®e[taft anna^m, eine 3Irt |)intert^iir ftnben tonnte, burc^ 
bie man [id) auf franjoj'tfdie SSeife 5uriid5U5ief)en t)ermod)te. Wit fo(d)en ®e= 
banfen befd)aftigt, be[tieg id) bet)uf§ einet 9tecogno|cirung, uon oben ^erab baS 
®ad) be§ fd)on genannten im 33au begtiffenen 33adftein^aufe§. Unb mirf(i(^ 
t)on bort au^ erblidte id) ein ©efite, i>a^ \id) in einer ni5rblid)en 9tid)tung fjinjog, 
unb berounberte gleid)5eitig bie feften SKauern be§ ^aufeS, burd) bie (yefd)ofje 
nic^t iuof)l bringen fonnten. §inter bem §i"|e war man ftdjer geborgen; ber 
^[a^ roar fiir ein temporareS gelb^Sajarett) ganj befonber§ geeignet. ©in ^cber 
begreift, bn^ man ein ioI(^e§ nid)t in ber g-ront Dom Kegiment aufid)lagen tann. 
S)o§ meine 23efiirc^tungen uon einem nabenben 'Jtngriff begriinbet roaren, rourbe 
in gang furjer 3eit bemonftrtrt. 

5Sie nad) briidenber S^roiite eineS ^eifeen @ommettage§ ber beftige 
©turm oft plij^lic^ geroaltfam ^ernorbric^t, fo begann mit roiiber f^urie bie 
©d)Iad)t uon^aianta. SieSanoncn bonnerten juevft am ciufeerften linfen ("Vliigel, 
jroar nod) roeit Don un§, mo ba§ 17. (SorpS faum ^ofto gefa^t i)aben tonnte unb 
roie id) fpciter erfu()r, oom getnbe tt)eilroeife umgangen roorben roar. ^Salb er* 
fd)ien jebod) ba§ ©d)lad)tengetiimmel un{)ei(Der!iinbenb nof)er unb niiber fom= 
menb. Sauter ert(angen bie Somumnborufe unb saf)Ireid)er fauften unb beul^ 
ten, brauften unb pfiffen bie ©efc^offe, gleid) unf)eimlid)en SDamonen, iiber ba§ 
im t)etlen ©onnenfd)ein baliegenbe ©d)racbtfelb. 2)a§ Hngliid fc^reitet f^neK ! 
2)ie JirailteurS in unferer Jyront fielen eiligft juritd unb berid)teten atbemloS, 
ba^ fid) ber Jeinb aucb unmittelbar tjor un§ maffen()aft jufammenjie^e. S)er 
©onnerlaut ber ©efdiiitie jur Sinten rourbe ftarfer unb braufte tornaboglei^ 
beran. 

§ier mufi id) bemerten, baf3 bie ©tarte unfereS Gorp^3 einigermafeen ge= 
fc^road)t roorben roar, ba Oberft 2Bangc(in^3 23rigabe auf Orbre won IK^v^erfon 
—unb ba§ roar fein letter !6efe()I— abcommanbirt roorben roar, bie Siide jroifdjen 



78 THIETY-SEVBNTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. 1. 

bem 16. unb 17. 5Irnieecorp§ ju fullen. ©ne raeitere ^Brigabe unter Dbetft 
aJtorttn wurbe fpciter ebenfaHS nac^ bem Itnfen gliigel entfonot. 

3n3tt)tfcf)en brang bie ^unbe ju un§, ®eneval 3Rc^f)erfon fet gefaUen. 
3(^ fo^ ©enerol fiogon, bem bur^ beffen Sob ba§ Cibercommanbo ber ^Irraep 
t)on 'Jenneffee jugefallen mar, 58efef|Ie auSt^eiten, 9tbiutanten obfd)ic!en, Sru))* 
penforper birigiren, mit ber ?[bfic^t bie ©turmflut^ ju ftemmen. 9JZe^r 9)lu= 
nitton murbe ^ergef^offt unb bie Safcfien mit 100 ^ationen gefiillt. '^Jac^bem 
^arben unb |)oob ouf unfere linte gfanfe anftiirmenb biefetbe juriid gebriingt 
fatten, bradjen be§ geinbe^ Sd)aQren unler i3ieut. 51. ^. ©temart, ber ^ol!'§ 
aUe§ ©orpS commonbirte, gerabe toor un§ in unge[tiimer SBeife tjeruor. Bunt 
®Iii(f fUr un§ maven beibc ?(ngriffe nicl)t gteii^jeitig unternommen morben, benn 
bann ^atte bie 9tffaire fp^r fc^Iimm oblaufeu fiinnen. llm ben finfenben Wtutl) 
bet su $:obe ge^e^ten ^o^nie^ «eu ju beteben unb beren Sourage frifd) onju* 
fad)en, fc^ien e§ gebraud)Iic^ 5U fein, mie id) fd)on friifter, 5.93. bet S)ona§ be* 
merft l)atte, nov einer geplanten 9lttarfe ^u fiinftlic^en SSiitteln ju greifen. 3)enn 
offenbar [)otten biefelben bei biefer cyelegen^eit eine boppelte ))}otion uon Duar= 
tiermeifter=38^i§tel) gejogen. SC3ir felbft, ber 3ieg{ment«=SopIan nid^t ouSge* 
f(^lofien, fannten ja ?tUe beffen Xragmeitc. 5Butt)entbrannt imb mit ®eftd)tern 
gerot^et, mimmelten fie bur^ ben obcngenannten (£ifenba[in=3)urd)fd)nitt ber un* 
begreifltc^er SBeifc meber befefligt U'orben mar, noc^ iiertf)eibigt rourbe, ba ber= 
jelbe toon Sruppen ganjlid) entbliifet mar. ©leidijeitig ftiirmten fie moffig auf 
ber fiibnd)en Seite ht?- grofien meif?en ?;rame^aufe§ ^erDor unb bireft auf un§ 
I08. 3)iefe§ l^dtte eben fd)on am SKorgen rofitt merben follen; unb haS^ wax eine 
anberc Unterlaffung^fiinbe. ^n einer furjen ©panne 3eit murbe bie ©ituotion 
unertraglid). illeingeme()r=5-euer fnatterte. S)er fanbige 93oben murbe burd) 
bie einfcfttagenben i?ugeln bud)ftab(tc^ auigemiif)It. S)te 93atterie jur Sinfen ber 
(Sifenba^n mar fampfunfdf)ig gemorben, beren ©efpann oon SJfauIefeIn erfd)offen 
unb aJJunition Derfd^offen. 

Unfere Srigabe, bem 93eifptel ber Sruppen jur SinTen folgenb, brad) 
flufenmeife ah; einjelne fielen juriid, anbere folgten, gan5e (Sompognien retirirten 
unb juletit befanb fic^ unfer cigenes JRegiment im ®efci^minbf(^ritt ouf bem 
5Riid,^ug. 

3c^ fonnte Don bort, mo id^ ftanb, nur einen ffeinen X^eil be§ ©d)Ia(^t= 
felbe§ iiberfe^en unb bie 9[u§bet)nung unferer temporiiren 9JieberIoge nic^t er= 
meffen. 3)od^ fpielten fic^ auf bem fleinen gelbe uor mir red^t fomifd^e ©cenen 
ab. 9?od) fe^e id^ Ieb(}aft nor meinen 9(ugen einen ©ergeant, id) glaube er mat 
Don (Somp. ^., mie er im Saufen plb^Iii^ ftel}en blieb, fe^rt mac^te, jielte unb 
feuerte, al§ ob er, ber einjige, bermo^te, ben nad)bringenben Saufenben ein 
§alt ju gebieten. ©ofoct nal^m er fd^Ieunigft bie glud^t mieber auf unb blieb 



THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I, 79 

anf^einlic^ untoetle^t. 3Kir f(^ien e§, al§ ob ber ^rcinb bie le^te ^ugel tm fiaufc 
berfc^offen l^atte, ober fic^ nicbt |^eit ne^men fonnte, ba§ ©cttje^r loieber ju laben. 

3)a fa() ic!^ ©eneral 9)Jovgan 2. ©mtf^, ber im 33eten mit grower "^-txiiQ' 
!eit begabt war, lute ev |)immel unb (£rbe anfle[)le, bie Seute jum (Ste[)en ju be* 
luegen. Slber oil fein iBefc^troren war tootgeblic^. Scf)on umringte man i^n 
unb ftac!^ nac^ t^m unb bem ©cf)tmmel, ben et ritt, mit 58ajonneten; ba gab er 
bem '^pferbe bie Spoten unb galo^jpirte bauon. — ^^ gfaube, er mu^ fet)r weit 
fortgeritten fein; mtr ttjurbe erjaf}!!, ba'i\ er nie luieber ju fetner S)lOtj'ton juriicE^ 
fei^rte. 

Unb a\§ id) ben Sieutenant 9}au Dom So^toner 2Bod)enbIattd)en, tm 
ttoHen Siiicfjuge begriffen, mit mifttarifc^er Scbneibigfeit burd) ha^ g-enfter be§ 
§aufe§, gerabe iiber mir, mit 3;obe§nerad)tung fpringen fat) unb ba§ SBeite ju 
geminnen fud)te, ba bad)te id), jeht ift aud) beine gett gefommen, jeW t)at e§, ttie 
man fid) beim 9tegimente au^jubritden pflegte, gefd)ent. (Sd)on ttiete ber Unfrt= 
gen maren in ben Saufgraben Dor bem 33adftein^aufe toon ben 3tebellen aufge* 
gabelt roorben, fo unter Wnbern mein ^reunb ber ©apitan iSd)uI^, ber mit ben 
^Idnflern at^emIo§ suritdgefallen mar. ©r {)atte fid) ouf bem mdtn lang ^in= 
geftredt unb feud^te unb ftof)nte: „3d) !ann nic^t mebr! 5?omm toie e§ wolle ; 
mir ift 5lIIe§ einerlei, tobt ober lebenbig \" 

Slber ouci^ ernfte, tragifd) enbenbe ©cenen luurben mir Dor bie 9(ugen ge= 
fu^rt. ®er ©d)lad)tentob mar an SSiele ^erangetreten, bie auf bem 93ette ber 
t^re if)r jungeS Seben flatten nieberlegen muffen. ®dc^ mo mar bamalS btc 
3eit sur ^lage? Unter ben Sobten befanb fi^ and) ber arme ^aul SSittid). ©r 
mar bur^ ben ^opf gefd)offen tcorben. 

9lu§ ^ietat fiir bie §etben, bie auf bem ©^tad)tfelbe biteben, prafentirt 
ba^ ®emet)r! ©enfet bie 3af)nc! SSerglefet eine S^rane! 9tuft i^nen nad): 
^fe^re ben Wanen unferer gefaUenen ^ameraben!" 

®emi5[)nlid) mar id) bei foldien be§ aifenfd)en 33rabour erprobenben 3tffai= 
renber crfteim 2aufen; boc^ Wxtn id) an ienem Sage ber Icfetc ju fein, nid^t 
meit ic^ braoet mar al§ bie Wnbern, fonbern einfad) au§ bem ©runbe, bafe i^, 
ba icf) mit 3Sermunbeten befdiciftigt mar, ben llmfang unb fatalen 5tu§gang be§ 
feinblid)en lleberfaU§ nicfjt friif) genug erfannte. Sd) muf? ^ier, ftolj auf meine 
f^arben, gleic^mte Dberft ©iber ouf fein preufeifd)e§ 3)Zajor§=iiatent, ^in.sufitgen, 
baf; id) gerabe bamoB gri3feere§ SSertrauen ouf bie llnbesminglidjfeit unfereS 
fiege^^gemiffen §eere§fc^oaren, unb namentUd) auf bie erprobte Sapferteit unfere§ 
ftrommen 9tegiment§ fe|ite al§ je juDor, sumal ba mir feit bem SRudjuge Don 
g^oljetteDille nur imtner DormcirtS marfd)irt maren. 

®er Ueberntac^t mufe man jebod) jueid)en. 5lud) ic^ mar enblicfi berett, 
f^crfengelb ju geben. 3(ber »oc§ e^e ic^ meine Wlu^t gefunben ^otte, befanb 



80 THIETY-SEVENTH KEGIMENT, O. V. Y. I. 

fic^ ber ^einb a»uifd)en mir unb meinem Sfegtment, imb nut bet @tle unb bem 
©tiirmen jenev tjatte id) e§ ju ucrbanfen, bafe id) nid)t ouf ber ©telle erfc^ofjen 
ober fofovt eingetoirfelt luuvbe. ^u bev Xijat legte einer au§ einem Itupp uor= 
iiberge^enber ©olbaten ba§ ®ettief)t auf mi^ an, luutbe abev Don feinem Sieute- 
nant am ©d)ie^en tjerr)inbert, inbem btefer auf bie luei^e 'i^anbage ^inbeutete, bie 
id^ aum 3eid)en, ba^ id) mic^ auf ©nabe ober llngnabe ergeben ijabs, ()od) in ber 
Suft fd)tuang. Sie betrad)teten mid) bereitS „^or§ be combat" unb liefeen mid^ 
in tiefen 5Betrac^tungen iiber be§ 9)Jenfd)en ©d)idfaI§=S:iiden einfad) fte^eu. 
2Seifd)iebene 9kttung§plane burd)treu5ten mein ®e^irn. Sin (Sntfc^Iujj mujjte 
f^ueE gefofst unb rafd) au§gefii^rt luerben. Unter bog |)ou§ ju fried^en, tt)a§ 
Slnbere, bebrongtiuie fie luaren, getf)an gotten, fiel mir eben in metner jugefpiUs 
ten Sage nid)t ein. 3" ^ei' Slu^t nur lag mein C">eit ! ®a gefd)n)inb, nad)bem 
ber grijf5te ©c^roarm Dorbeipaffirt mar unb bas ©etiife fic^ etma§ entfernt I}atte, 
befann ic^ mid^ ouf bie bergenbe ©d^Iud)t gen 9Zorben, unb Kerfucftte biefelbe, 
fo fd)uen aU mid) bie SSeine Iragen fonnten, ju erreicften, urn auf einem llmmege 
juriid 5um SRegiment ju gelongen. ^Ingefpornt Dom "Jriebe ber ©elbfter()altung 
unb biirftenb nac^ golbenet ^-rei^eit rannte id) an ®e®rofe'§ 33atterie Dorbei, 
beren ^ferbe ,^ufammengefd)offen morben moren unb befe^alb ttid)t fatten fortgc= 
fc^afft merben fonnen, unb lief - - fd)nurftrady in Die .'oanbe eine§ 6 grufe meffeus 
ben 9?ebetlen=©ergeanten, ber mic^ gonj gemiit^lic^ fi^agte, me id) ^inrooOe. 
Slt^emloS crmieberte i^, bafe id) im 93egriff fei, 5(tIanto ju nel)men. S)al)in ju 
gelangen, fbnne er, mir entgegnenb, ben SSeg meifen, unb un^bflid) unb aufbrings 
lid) mie er mar, bot er mir feine unermiittfd)te S3egleitung on. So manberten 
to'ix 9trm in 9Irm nocft ?(tlanta. ^er Siimmel f)atte jo ouf biefe SSeife eine 
c^ormonte ®elegent)eit, uom ©c^(ad)tfelbe fic^ megjubriiden. 

9hm meine ^erren unb Somen, ©ic merben fd)on longe etrat^en ^oben, 
bo^ id) on jenem un»erge|5(id)en Jage ?(tlonta nid)t einnaf)m, fonbern nad) 
?ftlanta genommen muvbc. S§ mirb 3()nen ober aud) au§ bem Obigen t(ar ge= 
morben fein, ba| an biefem meinem 9KiBgefd)id, bog man in ftubentifc^er ?(u§ 
brud^meife 'iped) nennt, nur (il)arle» .sMpp unb bie ii brig en ©enerale 
©d)ulb moren. 

©omit mar ic^ olfo ein ©efaugener unb a(§ foldier bie unfveimiHige 
SlDontgarbe toon St)erman'i? 5lrmee, unb menn biefe mir nur gefolgt mare, fo 
miirbe an bem Sage 5ttlanta obfolut genommen morben fein. ^ttbeffen mat 
mof)t unfere ©teHung toom SDtorgen am fpaten 9tad)mtttage juritderobert morben 
unb biejenigen, bie fid) oerfroc^en f)atten, maren mieber jum 58orfd)ein gefom= 
men. ^it f)ingegen £)atte mutterfeelenaltein, menn ic^ ben 9iebeIIen=©ergeanten 
nid^t mitred^ne, ben SSormorfd^ angetreten unb bereitS toon ber ©tobt felbft SBefife 



THIETY-SEVBNTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 81 



ergrfffen. ^n meinetn S)un!el ma^nte ic^, ba% bte ^ungfrauen t)on ?(tlanta, ge» 
Meibet in SSei^, uerfamntelt tuoren unb mir jujubeften : 

„SBir winben btr be§ ©ieger§ ^ranj mit oeilc^enblauer Seibe!" 

3)od^ rcoju bie SEufion? ^uriirf jur graujamen aSirflicfiteit. 9)leme 
ou&eve ©rf^einung liefe ?iae§ ju >Dunf(f)en iibrig. man ficitte mid) ef)ei- fiir 
einen 3:ramp be§ fieutigen XageS ^alten fonnen, al§ einen >r)o()I6eftaaten 9lttarf)e 
ber 3Ser. ©taaten ?trmee, unb ba banial§ jeneS @efc[)(ecf)t norf) nic£)t ejctftirte, 
tt)urbe man micft paffenb mit einem Sumpen tiergticfjen tiaben, ber gonjlid) t)er= 
fommen roar. SQJeine Uniform mor fcljcibig, faft serlumpt, §emb felt aJtonaten 
nicE)t geroe^feft, ©trumpfe t)offnung^Io§ jerrifjen, ©d)u[)fo[)Ien obgelaufen, Soms 
miffariat fcf)(ed)terbing§ nid)t in Sic^t, bie ©anteene Dom fjabgierigen 3-ii{)rer be= 
raubt, fein pfennig @efb in ber Safcfie. 9)?eine SO^ontur unb ooUe 3lu§ruftung 
o(§ ^tfjiftenjarst be§ 9tegiment^3 ^atte i(^ fammt bem Coffer, gemofe einer @ene= 
raforbve, in ©ecatur juritcflaffen miiffen, rao alle ©pur bation uerloren ging. 
2Bentg[ten§ erroieberte ber Quartiermeifter auf einen 93rief meiner (S'^au, bie in- 
3n)iW)en Don meiner ©efangenna^me gefjort ijattt unb born 2Sunfd)e bei'eelt toar, 
tt)entgften§ ein ^ilnbenfen an mid) ,^u baben,bafe atle meine |)obfeligfeiten ipurIo§ 
toerid)tt)unben feien, bod) trb[tenb binjufiigte, bajs im SBirrroarr be^- ^riegeS 
foId)e SSerlufte unbermeiblid) feien. SSa^rfc^einfic^ maren bie ©ffeften bei &th= 
gen^eit eine§ feinblidien 9teiter4leberfa[(^ imter ^S^eeler in S)ecatur fammt 
anberm ^lunber mit tierbrannt raorben. ®oc^ ba biefer ^at)anerie=5(ngriff Horn 
Oberft ©Prague 3uriidgefd)Iagen tnorben mar — nur brei SBagen gin^en tjerloren 
— fo mufe metn §ab unb @ut entroeber auf einer ber 3 3'U^ien geroefen fein, 
ober befinbet fid) je^t noc^ in Secatur. 3d) befdjulbige bureaus nid)t unfern 
SSerpfleger unb Sieferanten tjon „^orb tad" unb bem anbem Singe, mein Unents 
be^rlid)fte§ anneftirt ju baben; al§ SSeute roar e§ eben ben gu^rleuten in bie 
^onbe gefaQen, unb ein jeber uon un§ 37'em meife, mag ba§ bebeutete. 

9Baf)tenb ba§ 9tegiment mit ©f)erman ben befannten ©pa^iergang nac^ 
ber ©ee unterna^m, mufete icft im ©^arlefton 5lrbeit§^aufe, beftimmt fiir 9?igger, 
am §ungertud)e nagen, im ^erter fc^mad)ten unb ben bittern ^eld) be§ ^'rtege§ 
Ungemacfi auf bie 9?eige leeren. 

3)oc^ mer fann be§ SJienfc^en ©d)idfal ergriinben ? S)ie ^arjen fpinnen 
bie ^aben. 

2)er UnfaH mar tuabrfd)ein[id) einer won jenen ©egen, ber au§ ben SBoIs 
!en font unb fiir un§ in iiert)iillter ©eftatt erfd)eint. 90?an foil fid) bofiir beban= 
fen, o^ne ju uermbgen, ben reeflen 2Bertf) ju erfennen unb bie gLittIid)e 23ei§beit 
ju miirbigen. 

.S^atte id) meinen fd)a^baren .fibrper fernerbin al§ ^ielfcfietbe fur bie 
9iebeflen bloSfteCen muffen, rocire Dietteidit berfelbe je^t ein ?lfd)en^aufen. ®ag 
[111 



82 THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O, V. V. I. 



9?iftfo war grofe unb bie ©efa^r na^e, in einem ber nSrfiften Sreffen crfc^offen 
ju tcerben, ober am ©nbe in ben ©umpfen ber ©aroIinaS ju tierfinfen. M§- 
bann ttjore e§ mtr ni^t bergonnt geroefen, on bent ^eutigen glanjenben geftc 
t^eiljunel^men. 

S)a§ ifl bie neunte unb ic^ befiird^te bie le^te Oieunion be§ britten beut« 
ft^en SRegimentS ijon O^io. 5tuf aHe gaEe fann bie ^eutige tjon einer moglic^ 
fcrneren Sufammenfunft beffen SSeteranen ni(f)t ubertroffen luerben. 

Sd) bitte fcf)(iefelic^ atte 2(ntt)e[enben aufjufte^en, ba§ ®Ia§ ju ergreifen 
unb ein breifac^eS bonnembeS ^od) auSjubringen, juerft auf ba§ 2Bof)I unfereg 
37. 3iefliment§, bann auf bag beg 5DJajor |)ipp, beg im "^rieg unb f^rieben 
iiber ung mac^enben gii^rerg unb gegenroartigen treuen §iiterg ber Ueberbleibfel 
beg gtegimentg, unb jule^t auf bag SBo^I ber iiberiebenben Sameraben tton @t. 
SKar^g unb Umgegenb, fowic ber guten 93iirger unb SDamen biefer feftlic^ ge* 
fc^miidten ©tabt, benen Slllen toir neben bem fliicf)tigen, naturlirf)en ®ag,befton« 
bigeg, felfenfefteg ®liicf unb 28o^(erge^en wiinfdfien. 

93itte ni(f)t ^u tiergeffen, bie ®ldfer ju leeren. 



THIETY-SBVENTH KEGIMENT, 0. Y. V, I, 8^ 



Eight Menlhs a Prissfier in Andersenville^ 

-BY- 
JOHN A. ](IEI.CH£R, 

Late Private (.'ompany H., 37th Regiment, Ohio Infantry. 



By request of Major Chas. Hipp and the survivors of the 
37th O. V. I., who held their 9th Eeunion at St. Marys, O., on 
the 10th and 11th of September, 1889, it was unanimously re- 
solved to prepare as far as possible a history of our regiment, 
and I shall give as briefly as space will permit and my memory 
serves me, an outline of the sufferings and privations, which 
some forty-five comrades of the 37th Ohio endured during their 
confinement in prison. It will be impossible for me to give 
exact dates and figures, as my mind was considerably weakened 
during my imprisonment, but I shall give facts as they occur to 
me as I write them. 

It was on the 22d day of July 1864, near Atlanta, Georgia, 
when that gallant General, McPherson, fell, and some of our 
men where on picket duty with Capt, Shultz Co. H., in com- 
mand, that several hundred of us were surrounded by the rebels 
and made prisoners, and among them between forty-five and 
fifty from our regiment, myself among the number, also Capt. 
Shultz and Dr. A. Billhardt, I was immediately taken in charge 
by a young rebel lieutenant, who plundered me of everything 
I possessed, then marched me with another comrade towards 
Atlanta. On our journey we met Maj, General Hood and his 
staff, who commanded us to stop, when he addressed his con- 
versation to me, making inquiries about our lities and tbrces; 



84 THIETY. SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

but I can say that all the information he obtained from me on 
that source he was welcome to. He thanked me very kindly, 
looked through his field-glass, and rode away on a gal- 
lop, with his staff. It was a brilliant sight, as I beheld 
them in the distance. 

On our march to the city we met a number of regiments 
going to the front, and as they passed us, some would greet us 
with curses and others would look at us with pity. 

We finally came to Atlanta, and were taken to a place which 
at one time had been a slave pen, and there I again met my 
comrades, but under different circumstances, we were prisoners. 
The next morning we were ordered by an officer in command 
to form in line, whem our name, company and regiment were 
recorded, and after some rations were issued to us we were left 
to console ourselves as best we conld. We were free to talk with 
the guards,and from all 1 could discover from their conversation, 
they had not much hope for their future. They treated us very 
kindly, the best they could under circumstances, — and 1 will 
mention here, that this rule applied to all old soldiers in 
general. 

The next day we were given a liberal supply of rations, 
consisting of corn bread and bacon, and then proceeded on our 
march to Macon, Ga. 

One incident in particular occurred on this march which 
will bear mentioning and which will show the enthusiasm and 
loyalty of the Southern people in their cause. We were march- 
ing on our way through a village by the nameof Jonesbqrough, 
the inhabitants turned out en masse, and the women would 
carry the rebel banners in the midst of us, curse us, even spit 
in our faces and follow us for three or four miles, all the time 
keeping up their abuse. 

We at last reached Macon and were again put in prison. 
Here the officers were seperated from us and taken to Charles- 
ton, S. C, and we were take aboard some filthy stock cars and 
then proceeded on our journey to Andersonville, Ga. 

After a run of about sixty miles we stopped in a clearing^ 



THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V, I. 85 



where there were about a half dozen houses. We learned this 
was Andersonville. We were taken from the ears to an open 
piece of ground east of the station, where we could see at the 
distance of about a quarter of a mile an immense stockade. We 
were ordered to form in line, when an officer on a gray horse 
rode up to us with revolver in band and with an oath command- 
ed us to obey al! orders. I was just then talking to a comrade 
in the rear, when this same officer rode up to me, with his re~ 
volver drawn, and in broken English said: "You d— d Yankee 
—of a b— , stand in line there, or I'll kill you." I then learned 
that this was Capt. Wirz, commander of the prison. Again our 
name, company and regiment were taken down. We were 
formed into detachments with a sergeant over each ninety men 
when we were ordered to march toward the big stockade. As 
we neared the wall of great squared logs and massive gates, 
which were to shut out hope and life from nearly all of us for- 
ever, we beheld the ghastly sight near the gate of a number of 
dead, the eyes of which shone with a stony glitter, the faces 
black and pinched with pain and hunger, the long matted hair 
and fleshless frame swarming with lice, gave us some idea that 
a like fate awaited us on the inside. The rebels, knowing our 
desperation, used every precaution to prevent a break; the ar- 
tillerymen stood at their canister-shotted guns, which was 
trained to sweep the gates. All being ready the huge bolts 
were drawn, the gate swung open on its massive iron hinges, 
and as we moved into that hell on earth, we felt that we were 
cut off from the world and completely at the mercy of our cruel 
keepers. There were over 1,700 men that day (July 28, 1864) 
put into prison, making in all about 35,000. We were march- 
ed up to the east side of the prison, where there seemed to be 
some vacant space,— somewhere near 1,700 men to the acre— 
where we were left to our fate. 

We of the 37th Ohio were formed into the 123d detachment, 
and numbered 42 comrades. We stayed and talked and slept 
together, and tried to cheer and comfort one another, till our 
ranks were broken, and one after another died for his country. 



86 THIETY-SEVENTH EEGIMENT, O. V. V, I. 

Inside the prison, about twenty feet from the stockade, 
was what they called the "dead line," This the prisoners must 
not touch; or go beyond, under pain of death, 

I will here relate an incident that occured the first day of 
my experience in Andersonville. We had drawn our rations 
that day, consisting of a half pint of corn meal. Some of us had 
a tin cup left, and we were debating how to manage and get 
some wood and cook our meal, when a comrade saw some chips 
of a stump lying inside of the dead line, remarking they would 
do for a starter. He was warned not to cross the line by some 
of the older prisoners, but not heeding them and not knowing 
the rules he was shot down and killed by one of the guards not 
more than five feet from where I was standing. 

I shall never forget that day, and the sorrow and gloom it 
cast over me. We helped and provided for one anothere's com- 
fort as best we could, but as time would pass our sufferings 
would increase, and our number would grow less. We were 
not provided with shelter, but instead had the starry heavens^ 
for our sheiter,and the sandy soil, alive with verniint and lice 
for our couch. 

The crowd was growing denser every day, the rations less 
and water worse. The sun poured down with tropical heat, 
which reduced the quantity of water in the creek: the human 
filth had accumulated and stopped the passage of water through 
the stockade. It backed slowly, and spread this mass of tilth 
out over the low ground occupied b}'' some of the prisoners. 
About this time Col. C. F. Chandler, of the rebel army, was 
sent by Jeff Davis to inspect Andersonville Prison, and in his 
report he says: 

"I called the attention of Capt. Wirz and Gen. Winder to 
the frightful mortality that must certainly follow the crowded 
and filthy condition of the prison, and pointed to them how this 
could be remedied, to all of which Winder replied, 'The present 
arrangement is good enough, as it is having the desired effect 
and if let alone, will soon thin the prisoners out so that there 
will be plenty room,' " .■ i.i 



THIETY-SEVENTH KEGIMENT, O. Y. Y.\t. 87 



The result was that Gen. Winder was promoted to General 
in Command of all the prisons in the Confederacy. Time was 
moving slowly, and we were rapidly sinking into depravity. 
Men in our condition were sure to be peevish and irritable, and 
the best of friends would quarrel over a trifling matter. The 
mental condition of the majority was melancholy, beginning in 
despondency and tending to a kind of stolid and idiotic indiff- 
erence. The death rate was over 130 a day for the month of 
August, among them about tifteeu from our regiment. 

Early in September a rebel Colonel came inside. He said: 
"Prisoners there is going to be a general exchange of prisoners, 
and we shall exchange you as quick as possible, commencing to- 
morrow morning." 

We wept for joy and seemed to take new life. That night 
the oflScers stood at the big gate and the names of those who 
were to be exchanged were called out; and as each one's name 
was called he would walk out of the prison with renewed hope 
and life. It so happened that the name of a comrade of my 
company was called, and having died some time before, I an- 
swered to his name and then walked out a free man,as I thought. 
Soon after that my name was called, and no one answered to it, 
I was reported dead or missing. We were given rations, put 
into the stock cars, and were soon, as we supposed, on our way 
to God's country, — but oh, what a delusion! 

We were taken to Savannah, Ga.. and from there moved 
from one prison to another, the most of the time on foot; march- 
ing us until we would give out, then rest for the night and pro- 
'ceed the next morning. On this march we lost a number of 
comrades, whom we buried by the wayside as best we could. 
After marching and counter-marching to keep out of reach of 
Sherman, we finally, what was left of us, reached Andersonville 
Prison again on Christmas morning, December 25, 1864, Ah 
what a disappointment to us! 

If I had had my preference that day to choose between Aif- 
dersonvilleand hell, I certainly should have preferred the latter. 
And to add to the horrors already endured, it began to' grow 



88 THIKTY-SEVENTH KEGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 

colder, freezing ice in the creek. We were now getting des- 
perate, and we seemed to lose hope, and our ranks were thin- 
ning out very last. 

About this time they sent officers in with the tempting 
offer of liberty and large wages to take oath of allegiance to the 
Confederacy, and I am sorry here to admit that some complied 
with their wishes, but knowing the circumstances, I can be 
charitable, and not attach any blame upon them. We called 
together the remainder of the 37th regiment, and when the roll 
was called, nine of us answered to the call. When that pro- 
position was discussed, whether we should join the rebels and 
perhaps live or remain in prison and surely starve to death, 
it was a moment of life or death with us. After discussing and 
deliberating the matter fully we resolved, each and every one 
of us remaining of the 37th, not to surrender, but to suffer death 
before surrender, and as I am the only survivor of the forty- 
two of our regiment living to speak for them, and to their glory 
and credit of the 37th Kegiment of O. V. I., that they were loyal 
to their country and never flinched, but scornfully replied: 
"You can to your worst, we will never go back on the old Stars 
and Stripes." 

It was sometime in January when the last man otmy regi- 
ment died, and I was left alone of all my comrades. I shall 
not attempt here to describe my feelings. It simply would be 
impossible. I will leave that to the imagination of the reader. 
1 wandered around, not knowing where. Coming to my senses 
again, and looking around me, I found myself in the hospital 
which the rebels had provided near the prison. Here I fared 
better; we at least had tents, and were not exposed to the ele- 
ments; there were also two doctors to attend to our wants, — 
but alas! they were powerless, as they had no medicine to give 
us, excepting a little camphor, whiskey and decoction of some 
kind of bark. The doctors often expressed their regret that 
they had no more medicines. I shall also give here an incident 
worthy of mention : 

We were visited one day by two Sisters of Charity from 



THIETY-SBVENTH REGIMENT, O. V. V. I. 89 

Macon, Ga. They gave us one-halt a loaf of bread each, and 
prayed for us, making no distinction as to our religion, either 
catholic or protestant, but had a word of comfort and cheer for 
each and every one. God bless them. And I will state here 
that from all the denominations in existence these were the 
only two members that visited us. 

Day by day my mind grew weaker, and life became a blank 
to me. When I regained consciousness, I found myself in the 
hospital at Vicksburg, Miss., where they told me we had been 
paroled and were once more among friends. 1 was two months 
in the hospital at Vicksburg, and from there was transported 
to the hospital at Jefferson Barracks, near St, Louis, Mo. Af- 
ter staying there for six weeks I was pronounced well enough 
to make my journey home. 

I have passed over this picture rapidly, giving but an out- 
line of the subject, and consequently pruned the description as 
much as possible, not even mentioning the names of true and 
noble men who were my constant comrades, and whom I have 
seen endure the most terrible pangs of starvation, their 
shrunken and almost naked frames shivering with cold and 
faces pinched with pain and hunger, and finally die for their 
country. 

Comrades of the 37th O. V, as we meet from time to time at our 
reunions, the few of us that have been spared, let us remember 
those comrades of ours who sleep in their lonely graves (per- 
haps some of them marked "unknown") and if we cannot strew 
flowers on their graves, let us drop a tear in silence to their 
memory. 




37th regiment 

OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 



THREE YEARS' SERVICE 



HIS Regiment was organized at Cleveland, Ohio, from 
September 9, 1861, to March 1, 1862, to serve three 
years, On expiration of its term of service, the original mem- 
bers (except veterans) were mustered out, and the organiza- 
tion, composed of veterans and recruits, retained in the service 
until August 7, 1865, when it was mustered out in accordance 
with orders from the War department. 

Only a partial official list of battles in which this Regiment 
bore an honorable part has yet been published by the War 
Department, but the following list has been compiled after 
careful research during the preparation of this work : 

PRINCETON, W. VA., . . May 15-18, 1862. 

WYOMING C. H., W. VA., . . August 5, 1862, 

FAYETVILLE, W. VA., . . September 10, 1862. 

COTTON HILL, W. VA., . September 11, 1862. 

VICKSBTJRG, MISS., (Siege of and 

Assaults), .... May 18 to July 4, 1863 

JACKSON, MISS., .... July 9-16, 1863. 

MISSION RIDGE, TENN., . . November 25, 1863. 

RESACA, GA., .... May 13-16, 1864. 

DALLAS, GA May 25 to June 4, 1864. 

KENESAW MOUNTAIN, GA., . June 9-30, 1864. 

KBNESAW MOUNTAIN, GA., (Gen- 
eral Assault), .... June 27, 1864. 

ATLANTA, GA,, (Hood's First Sortie) July 22, 1864, 

ATLANTA, GA., (Ezra Chapel or 

Second Sortie), . . . July 28, 1864. 

ATLANTA, GA., , , . . July 28, to September 

2, 1864. 

JONESBORO, GA. . . . August 31 and Septem- 

ber 1, 1864. 

BENTONVILLE, N. C, . . . March 19-21, 1865. 



\^' 



